Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 18 : There is no proposal before the government to upgrade the PHC Herman and PHC DK Pora in South Kashmir’s Shopian district to a level of CHCs, the government informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to a question of MLA Showkat Hussian Ganaie, the concerned Minister as per the news agency said that currently there is no proposal for upgradation of PHC Herman & DK Pora to the level of CHC.
“Both the health institutions does not meet criteria for Up-gradation to next level (CHC) as per IPHS 2022 norms, as per population norms and the fact that both the institutions are being served by a higher level health institution at a reasonable distance, PHC D.K Pora is located 12 km from District Hospital Shopian, and PHC Herman is 11 km from CHC Zainapora,” she said.
“Moreover the Department is focusing on consolidation of existing health institutions by way of strengthening manpower, infrastructure and services in existing Health Care institutions, rather than upgradation. Pertinently J&K has a huge network of 4000 of around health facilities and is amongst top runner in Health institution Density, when compared to big States /UTs (with population of 1 Cr. or above) while a proposal, to make PHC Harman 24×7 operational is already in process in the department while both PHC Herman & DK Pora have already been upgraded and operationalised as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. (HWCs) with Improved package of services,” she said.
Replying to a question of MLA Vijay Kumar, Itoo said that PHC Hiranagar was upgraded to the level of CHC in 1990-91 and since then, the infrastructure has undergone gradual development, with notable additions like the Emergency Block in 1989 and the Post-Partum care Block in 2006-07.
“Admittedly the building is old; and needs massive repair/retrofitting even the safety audit as the department is committed to provide a safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff and the Department has already advised CMO Kathua to take up the matter for conducting safety audit of the building by PW(R&B) agency concerned to assess the existing infrastructure’s safety aspects and accordingly. retrofitting/renovation of old building or a new construction can be planned based on the technical report of the safety audit,” she added.
“The development of CHC Hiranagar is covered under IPHS Norms. CHC Hiranagar apart from regular services, is also providing basic emergency care, stabilization of patients for referral to higher-tier hospitals, 29 Integrated ambulances 102/108 are available in District Kathua which comprise of 06 Advance Life Support & 04 besides Basic Life Support Ambulances and the department is working on consolidation and strengthening of existing health care facilities. As such, the Department is not contemplating establishing CHC Hiranagar as Trauma Centre as, several facilities, Such as AIIMS Jammu, GMC Kathua, District Hospital Samba & Trauma Hospital Ghagwal around the facility are already catering to the Trauma while recently Block Public Health Unit (BPHU) has been established in the said facility under PM- ABHIM which would help improve health services,” the Minister added
