The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday clarified that there is no proposal to upgrade Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Kupwara to District Hospital (DH) status.
Responding to a query from MLA Fayaz Ahmad Mir, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakina Itoo said that no active proposal is currently under consideration for the upgradation of SDH Kupwara to District Hospital status. However, the department is exploring possibilities with the National Medical Commission (NMC) to designate SDH Kupwara as an Associated Hospital of GMC Handwara to enhance healthcare services, she said.
“To strengthen the human resources at SDH Kupwara, the department, via Government Order No. 235-HME of 2010 dated 19.10.2010, created 46 posts across various categories, including 8 Consultants, 5 Doctors, and 33 Paramedics/others. Currently, there are 8 Consultants (6 Regular and 2 NHM) against a sanctioned strength of 15 and 29 Medical Officers (18 Regular and 11 NHM) against a sanctioned strength of 30. DNB Courses in General Medicine, Surgery, Anesthesiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Pediatrics were introduced on 04.03.2022, leading to the establishment of five functional departments and a fully operational Dialysis Unit with 181 medical equipment items installed,” Itoo said.
The current staff strength stands at 187 (93 Regular and 94 NHM) against a sanctioned 239. The existing infrastructure at SDH Kupwara includes a 200-bed IPD block, OPD block, diagnostic block, OT block, BMO quarter, doctors’ hostel, quarters for doctors/PGs, and the old SDH building under renovation for hostel use. A DIPHL lab and a 50-bedded Critical Care Block are also being developed under PM ABHIM.
“The increasing patient influx reflects the reliability of the healthcare services. OPD figures have risen from 1.49 lakh (2020-21) to 3.05 lakh (2023-24), and IPD admissions increased from 11,590 to 21,778 over the same period. There has been a steady rise in major and minor surgeries, institutional deliveries, and LSCS cases,” the minister added.
She said the department aims to bridge critical gaps by strengthening the existing facility per IPHS 2022/NMC norms and enhancing e-sanjeevani/telemedicine services through a hub-and-spoke model with optimal resource sharing.
Responding to MLA Mir Saifullah’s query, Itoo confirmed that SDH Kralpora is operational and adequately staffed. “Out of the 15 sanctioned posts for Medical Officers/Consultants, 10 have been filled. Three doctors from the National Health Mission (NHM) and 4 under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) program have been deployed to Kralpora to strengthen healthcare services,” she said.
Similarly, Primary Health Center (PHC) Trehgam is functioning with adequate medical and paramedical staff. “Out of 5 sanctioned posts for Medical Officers, 4 are filled. Additionally, 2 doctors from NHM and 4 from RBSK have been posted for field-based activities,” she said.
The minister said some paramedical posts remain vacant, but efforts are underway to fill these positions. “292 posts within the Non-Gazetted/Paramedic category from the Directorate of Family Welfare, MCH, and Immunisation have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for recruitment. This will significantly strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve services for the local population,” Itoo added—(KNO)
