JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that Health institution Batamaloo has been upgraded to PHC and is functional with sufficient infrastructure.

The Minister said this while replying to a question by Tariq Hameed Karra.

The Minister said that the PHC Batamaloo is functioning with 12 sanctioned posts. She added that out of 12, 9 are in-position including two Medical Officers and two Dental Surgeons from the regular side, besides 16 sanctioned posts from NHM side are also in place.

The Minister further informed that PHC Batamaloo has sufficient infrastructure as a four storied structure required for smooth functioning of a UPHC and its bed strength had been raised to 56 during Covid time.

The Minister further said that the catchment area of PHC Batamaloo is approximately 50,000 as reported by the Director Health Services Kashmir. She added that PHC Batamaloo does not qualify for up-gradation to the level of Sub District Hospital (SDH).

She also informed that PHC Batamaloo is being served by the higher and tertiary level health institutions like GMC Srinagar, Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar, SKIMS Srinagar, SKIMS (JVC) Medical College, SMHS Hospital Srinagar, L.D Hospital Srinagar, NTPHC Lachmanpora Batmaloo and UPHC Bemina.