JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that the Government is working on consolidation of exiting healthcare facilities and more than 4200 health institutions at various Primary, Secondary and Tertiary level exist in J&K, as on date, adding that 554 NTPHC's function across the Union Territory.

The Minister, while replying to a question raised by Showkat Hussain Ganie, informed that J&K is among the top achievers in health institution density in the country as per the report of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

While replying to a question regarding upgradtion of Kanjullar, Kaprin, Turkwangam and Sharatpora Sub Centres to Primary Health Centres (PHC), the Minister informed that no future creations and upgradations have been planned, as of now, which may be worked out once the austerity measures in terms of Government Order number 17-F of 2024 dated 15.01.2024 imposed by the Finance Department are withdrawn.

Sakeena Itoo also said that to fill the critical gaps, among other things, the department aims to strengthen the existing healthcare facility strictly as per IPHS norms, extend support to common man seeking medical attention by developing a robust e- Sanjeevani, tele-medicine facilities through a well designed hub and spoke model.

The Minister mentioned that the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) are broadly the benchmarks for creation and upgradation of healthcare facilities.

Earlier, IPHS 2012 were being used and now IPHS 2022 norms are in vogue, which is at present the broad document to be used for any future creation and upgradation of Health Institutions.