Anantnag, Sep 09 (KNO): The proposed 250-bed Maternity and Child Care Hospital (MCCH) at Janglatmandi in Anantnag is yet to see construction activity despite the government allocating Rs 86 crore for the project during the budget session earlier this year, causing concern among residents and patients.
The existing MCCH at Sherbagh continues to function from a dilapidated and severely congested building despite having been declared unsafe by the Fire and Emergency Services Department in 2014.
During the budget session in March this year, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that Rs 86 crore had been allocated for construction of the hospital.
However, Principal Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, Dr Junaid Salam Wani, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that while a detailed project report (DPR) had been prepared and submitted, funds under NABARD have not been released yet.
"We submitted a detailed DPR, duly vetted, to the Administrative Department, but because of lack of funds, it has not gone through this year under NABARD," Dr Junaid said.
The urgency surrounding the proposed hospital stems from the condition of the existing MCCH at Sherbagh, which has been functioning from a dilapidated building since 2014. Located in the congested Sherbagh locality, the facility has limited space and has been forced to accommodate patients in corridors during periods of heavy rush.
Hospital staff said the existing infrastructure comprises only two labour wards, four surgical wards and one operation theatre, despite the facility catering to a large number of patients from Anantnag and neighbouring districts, including Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Ramban and parts of the Chenab Valley.
"This is a maternity and child care facility where patients require privacy, space and immediate access to emergency services. The present infrastructure is under tremendous pressure," a senior doctor said.
The present crisis has persisted despite previous attempts to shift the hospital. Around seven years ago, authorities had proposed shifting the MCCH to the Rehmat-e-Alam building at Sarnal after nearly Rs 13 crore had been spent on its construction. The plan was abandoned after an IIT Jammu safety assessment found the structure unsafe for use in its existing condition.
Residents said the latest proposal provides an opportunity to finally resolve the issue permanently. "The government has already recognised the requirement by announcing Rs 86 crore for a 250-bed facility. Now the project should be taken forward on a fast-track basis," Mohammad Yousuf, a resident, said.
They urged the government to treat the 250-bed MCCH at Janglatmandi as a priority project and ensure that the funding gap under NABARD is addressed at the earliest.
Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo has also acknowledged concerns regarding the condition of the existing hospital during her recent visits and assured that the issue was being addressed.
"We have been hearing about shifting and constructing a new hospital for years. Now there is a clear proposal, a DPR has been prepared and the government has announced funds. The next step should be to ensure that the project actually takes off," Abdul Rashid, a local resident, said—(KNO)