JAMMU: Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Minister, Sakina Itoo on Wednesday informed that there was no proposal before the government for the construction of a 100-bed maternity hospital in Sirnoo, Pulwama.

While replying to questions of MLA Pulwama Waheed Ur Rehman Para, Sakina Itoo said that there is no such proposal before the government and existing health facilities are being strengthened.

"At present, there is no such proposal for construction of 100 Bedded Maternity Hospital at Sirnoo Pulwama as the maternal healthcare facilities to the people of District Pulwama including Sirnoo area are available at District Hospital, Pulwama." Sakina said.

"As of now, J&K is working on consolidation of existing health facilities as around 4000 health institutes at various levels (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary) exists. J&K is among the top runners amongst large States/UTs (with population more than 1 crore) in health institution density in the country. The calculations worked as per the Report published in 2023 by MoHFW, GoI indicates that J&K has health institution on every 3500 souls against an average 6000 souls at national level," she said.

"No future creations/upgradations are planned as of now. The upgradation of health institutions mainly depend upon multiple parameters viz; population, infrastructure, distance from nearby Health institutions, work load and fulfillment of conditionality of IPHS norms-2022 and circular instructions of the Government issued from time to time (latest vide 10-F of 2025 dated: 11/01/2025 by FD that no new posts shall be created, refer point 7(1) of Govt," Sakina added.

"However, to improve the Health services further, among other things, the department has conceptualized to strengthen the existing health facilities through rationalization of Manpower and Resource Sharing and developing a robust e-sanjeevani/tele-medicine facilities through a well designed hub & spoke model under digital initiatives," she said.