Srinagar, Sep 30: The government has approved a nursing college for Budgam, but the proposal for creation of manpower required to make it operational is still under consideration, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo told the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
Itoo was responding to a question by legislator Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani.
She said the health department was currently focused on consolidating the existing healthcare system, with critical gaps being assessed through feasibility studies and digital interventions such as tele-consultation and e-Sanjeevani.
“There is no proposal for establishing a Nursing College at Beerwah or Trauma Hospital at Magam as of now,” Itoo said.
She said a basic Level-III Trauma Centre requires at least 73 staff members, including a general surgeon, orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist and radiographer.
Operating such a centre would involve an estimated annual expenditure of Rs 5 crore on manpower and related requirements, she said.
Trauma cases are currently being managed at District Hospital Budgam, SDH Beerwah, SDH Magam and tertiary-care hospitals, including JVC Bemina and SMHS Hospital, Itoo said.
She said the need for a trauma centre would be assessed at an appropriate stage and action taken in accordance with prescribed norms.
On the demand to upgrade sub-centres at Charangam, Iskanderpora and SK-Pora to New Type Primary Health Centres, Itoo said they did not meet the population criteria under Indian Public Health Standards guidelines.
The guidelines require a population of 20,000 in hilly or difficult areas and 30,000 in plain areas for such an upgrade, she said.
There is also no proposal to establish new health sub-centres at Lassipora, Nusso and Bandgam, Itoo said, adding that the department was focusing on strengthening the existing healthcare system.
About The Author
