Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government has said that the Government Nursing College at Budgam has already been approved, but its operationalisation is awaiting the creation of required manpower. It has ruled out any immediate proposal for establishing a trauma hospital at Magam, citing financial constraints and the substantial manpower required to make such a facility functional.
In a reply to an Assembly question, the Health and Medical Education Department, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the proposal for creating posts for the Government Nursing College, Budgam, was currently under consideration to make the institution operational. However, there was no proposal at present to establish a nursing college at Beerwah.
Regarding the demand for a trauma hospital at Magam, the department said no such proposal was under consideration at present.
It stated that establishing a basic Level-III Trauma in Centre would require at least 73 staff members, including specialists such as general surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons, anaesthetists and radiographers.
The department said making such a facility operational would entail an estimated annual expenditure of Rs 5 crore towards manpower and other related requirements.
" In view of the prevailing financial constraints and austerity measures of the Finance Department, operationalisation of such a facility may be difficult," the government said.
It added that trauma cases from the area were currently being managed at existing healthcare facilities, including District Hospital Budgam, Sub-District Hospitals Beerwah and Magam, besides tertiary care hospitals such as JVC Bemina and SMHS Hospital.
The government, however, said the need for both the nursing college-related demands and the trauma facility would be assessed at an appropriate stage, following which necessary action would be taken in accordance with the prescribed rules and norms.
On the demand for upgrading the existing sub-centres at Charangam, Iskanderpora and SK-Pora to New Type Primary Health Centres (NTPHCs), the department said the facilities did not qualify for upgradation under the prescribed population norms.
As per the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) guidelines, a population of at least 20,000 in hilly and difficult areas and 30,000 in plain areas is required for such upgradation.
The department said the three sub-centres did not meet the required population criteria, ruling out their immediate elevation to the next level.
Regarding the proposed establishment of new health sub-centres at Lassipora, Nusso and Bandgam, the government said there was no proposal under consideration at present.
It said the department was currently focusing on strengthening and consolidating the existing healthcare delivery system rather than expanding infrastructure through new facilities.
However, the government maintained that critical gaps in healthcare services, if identified, would be examined through feasibility assessments.
It also highlighted the possibility of introducing digital healthcare interventions, including tele-consultation and e-Sanjeevani services, at existing facilities to improve access to healthcare and extend medical services to underserved areas—(KNO)