Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, Mar 15:
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, informed the Legislative Assembly that the Higher Education department has successfully implemented the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 in all Government Degree Colleges across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Javid Riyaz in Legislative Assembly today.
The Minister informed the House that the colleges of J&K are already offering job-oriented and skill-based courses to enhance students’ employability and practical learning. She apprised that the Business Management programs are being offered in various colleges in J&K but Artificial Intelligence as a separate program has not been introduced as yet as the subject is new and developing area of learning.
She further said that Artificial Intelligence is taught as part of curriculum of Computer Applications.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the Legislative Assembly that the government is working on consolidation of existing healthcare facilities rather than creating and constructing new infrastructure.
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Mushtaq Ahmad Guroo in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister informed the house that in compliance to Government Order No: 628-HME of 2016 dated: 03-12-2016, NTPHC Barzulla was relocated to MMC Sanat Nagar Srinagar along with assets and manpower where it is presently functional. She added that the working hours of the Centre are in line with the other institutions i.e from 10.00 AM to 4.30 PM.
She informed that the MMC Sanat Nagar is functioning with G+1 structure and presently OPD and immunization facility is being provided in the ground floor of the building, with the first floor of the building housing Youth rehabilitation and Mental Healthcare facility.
The Minister further said that as of now J&K is working on consolidation of the existing health facilities of around 4000 health institutes at various levels (Primary, Secondary and Tertiary). She informed that J&K is one of the top runners among large States/UTs in health institution density in the country, adding that these calculations worked as per the report published in 2023 by MoHFW, GoI.
She highlighted that J&K has a health institution for every 3500 souls against an average of 6000 souls at national level.
The Minister further informed the House that government has plans for future creations/upgradations as of now and same will be worked out once the austerity measures in terms of Government Order No. 10-F of 2025 dated 11.01.2025 imposed by the Finance Department are withdrawn and critical gaps as per IPHS, if any, are assessed.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that PHC has not been sanctioned for village Anzwalla of Anantnag district.
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Peerzada Mohd Sayeed in the Legislative Assembly.
The Minister informed the house that the Village Anzwalla doesn’t qualify for establishment of PHC as the village has less population and the minimum population for establishing a PHC is 2000.
She further informed the house that there is a Sub-Centre, presently functional at Anzwalla Anantnag.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today informed the House that the government is making every effort to ensure healthcare services are provided across all areas of J&K.
The Minister said this while replying to a question raised by Mir Mohammad Fayaz.
She added that this is evident from the recent appointment of 365 medical officers, who have been posted to remote and underserved areas facing doctor shortages.
The Minister said that the Health and Medical Education department does not encourage attachments of doctors, instead, it is making every effort to ensure healthcare services are provided in all areas of J&K including far-flung and underserved regions.
The Minister further also informed the house that some deployments are being made due to compelling personal circumstances of the doctor, mostly on health grounds. She added that such adjustments are done with consideration for the well-being of doctors while still contributing towards the overall healthcare system.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that the Town Planning Scheme (TPS) for Ransoo village has been notified on 19th April, 2022.
The Minister was replying on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, to a question raised by Kuldeep Raj Dubey.
She said that it is also a fact that the Master Plan for Reasi town and surrounding areas is on anvil and the government intends to seek suggestions from the general public.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that the cost of civil works at Government Medical College Doda has been revised from Rs. 139.00 crore to Rs. 164.90 crore for completion of the balance works.
The Minister was replying to a question raised by Sajjad Shaheen in the Legislative Assembly.
Sharing details, the Minister informed that out of total Rs 189 crore approved and released under both Centre and UT share, an amount of Rs. 183.95 crore has been utilised on civil and machinery equipment components till March- 2024. She informed that during the current financial year, an amount of Rs. 9.50 crore has been earmarked under Capex Budget 2024-25, against which Rs. 7.60 crore have been released and Rs. 1.65 crore have been incurred.
She said that in order to improve the doctor-patient ratio and to give a fillip to the available medical services at secondary and tertiary level of treatment, the Ministry for Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing referral/District Hospitals” sanctioned establishment of 05 new Medical Colleges at Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Kathua and Rajouri.
The Minister said that GMC Doda has infrastructure and staff in place, to function smoothly. However, as in the case of any new Medical College, there is room for further improvement.
With regard to staff, the Minister said that all vacant faculty posts stand referred to the JKPSC for advertisement and selection of suitable candidates Besides, faculty is being engaged on academic arrangement to meet the shortfall, if any. The Minister said Consultants/ Senior Consultants of Health Gazetted Services are also being deputed to GMC Doda on standard terms and conditions of deputation for utilization of their services in various Departments. Further, recruitment to vacant Non-Gazetted posts in respect of GMC Doda is under consideration.
Regarding the total sanctioned strength of both teaching and non-teaching staff, she informed that out of 267 gazetted category posts; 144 are in position and 123 are vacant, in non-gazetted category; of 432 sanctioned strength 306 are in position and 126 are vacant and in MTS category; of 117 sanctioned strength 70 are in position and 47 posts are vacant.
The Minister said that two CT Scan Machines, One functional Fibroscan machine (Echosens 630) are functional in AH, GMC DODA.
She further informed that the GMC Doda intends to start PG / MD/MS courses in broad specialties from Academic year 2027-28. Moreover, DNB courses are being offered in the disciplines of Medicine, Surgery, Obst and Gynae, Paediatrics and Orthopaedics in GMC Doda.
Shakti Raj Parihar and Mehraj Malik raised supplementaries.
