Govt to constitute committee to address NHM employees’ issues

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, Sept 29: The Government is working to constitute a committee to examine the "genuine demands" of 1,026 employees engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM), the Legislative Assembly was informed today.

The disclosure was made by the Health and Medical Education Department in reply to a starred question by MLA Satish Kumar Sharma (Billawar) on the issues of contractual NHM employees.

The Government said further action would be taken on the basis of recommendations of the proposed committee.

It also referred to a Government Order issued in March 2017, under which a four-member committee comprising senior officials of the Health Department and NHM was constituted to examine the demands of NHM employees and submit its report within two months.

On demands for establishing new Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in hilly Panchayats, including Dehota, Baggan, Marhoon and Katli, the Government said there was no proposal at present, as the identified habitations did not meet the prescribed population criterion under the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS).

The Government said IPHS envisages a minimum population of 20,000 for establishment of a PHC, adding that J&K was currently focusing on consolidation and strengthening of existing health facilities.

Around 4,000 health institutions are presently functioning across the Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels, the Government said, adding that J&K has a higher density of health institutions than the national average.

The department said existing facilities were being strengthened in accordance with IPHS norms, while rationalisation of resources and e-Sanjeevani/telemedicine services through a hub-and-spoke model were also being used to bridge service gaps.

On manpower at SDH Billawar and PHC Ramkot, the Government said SDH Billawar had 72 sanctioned posts, of which 52 were occupied, while PHC Ramkot had 17 sanctioned posts with nine personnel in position.

However, all permissible NHM positions at both institutions were filled, with no NHM vacancy reported.

Regarding PHC Ramkot, the Government said repair and renovation had been taken up under the District Capex Budget 2023-24 at an estimated cost of Rs 16.50 lakh, against which Rs 6.15 lakh had been incurred and the work was physically complete.

A 100 KVA transformer was also installed at the health centre under the District Capex Budget 2024-25 at a cost of Rs 6.29 lakh to ensure uninterrupted power supply.

A Detailed Project Report for PHC Ramkot is under preparation with the PWD (R&B) Kathua-Samba Circle.

For PHC Bhadu, the Government said a DPR for construction of a new building had been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs 261.58 lakh. The possibility of executing the project in the next financial year would be explored subject to availability of funds.