Steps afoot to strengthen JK's primary healthcare network: Veeri

Lays foundation of PHCs at Kanilwan, Nanil in Bijbehara

ANANTNAG, SEPTEMBER 05: Minister for Revenue, Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Abdul Rehman Veeri today said steps are afoot to strengthen primary healthcare network in the State.

The Minister said this while laying the foundation stone of New Type Primary Health Center (NTPHC) at Kanalwan,  and Primary Health Centre (PHC) Nanil Bijbehara, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2 crore and Rs1.67 crore respectively. The Minister was accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Shabir Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Fazil Kochak and other officials.

Mr. Veeri said that it is the top priority of the Government to upgrade the existing health infrastructure, especially in the rural and far-flung areas and to ensure availability of better healthcare and diagnostic facilities to the people at their doorstep.

The Minister stressed on the importance of the strengthening primary health care in rural areas and its impact on streamlining and improving specialized tertiary healthcare system in the State.

He said that district hospitals with the associated community health care centers in the district will be strengthened to provide for early prevention, diagnosis and management of illness and disease.

“I believe it will improve and provide an answer to long outstanding issues such as waiting time and overcrowding of our patients in the outdoor and indoor departments of the hospitals,” the Minister said.

Mr. Veeri also said that easy accessibility of the medical care will certainly raise the quality of living in rural areas given their spending on getting treatment at far off places.

The Minister had a detailed review of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of these institutions and setup a deadline of June 2018 for their completion.

The new healthcare facility spread over 4500sft at Kanilwan will have a provision of emergency room, doctors consultation room, registration section, gynae OPD, Record room, paramedical staff room, medical OPD, dispensary, Lab, ECG/ USG room, X-ray room, female ward, labor unit and other facilities.