Srinagar, Sep 28 (KNO): The Government has told the Assembly that the proposed upgradation of District Hospital Ramban to a 100-bedded facility is stalled due to non-availability of suitable land, while installation of an MRI machine at the hospital is not under immediate consideration.
The information was provided by the Health and Medical Education Department in reply to a question by MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju.
The government, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the feasibility of increasing the hospital's bed strength would be examined only after suitable land or space is identified for expansion.
On the demand for an MRI facility, the department said priority is being given to establishing such services at tertiary-level institutions, particularly Government Medical Colleges.
It added that MRI facilities at district hospitals would be considered later after assessing infrastructure requirements, trained manpower and support services. No timeline has been fixed for installation of an MRI machine at District Hospital Ramban.
Regarding construction of residential quarters for medical staff, the government said the project was delayed due to the discontinuation of funding under the National Health Mission (NHM). The project has now been shifted to the UT Capex Budget, with Rs 40 lakh approved and Rs 20 lakh released so far.
The department said the work has reached the furnishing stage and is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The government further informed the House that seven of the 14 sanctioned specialist posts at District Hospital Ramban are vacant. These include posts of surgeon, pathologist, orthopaedic specialist, dermatologist, anaesthetist and two gynaecologists.
It said a proposal for promotion and regularisation of eligible Medical Officers as Consultants and Senior Consultants is under consideration, while staff shortages are also being addressed through regular recruitment and rational deployment of available manpower.
The reply also said no proposal is currently under consideration for the upgradation of Sub-District Hospital Batote or Block Hospital Ukhral.
However, the government said efforts are underway to strengthen healthcare delivery through initiatives such as e-Sanjeevani, telemedicine and teleradiology services. It also noted that free ambulance services for emergency, maternal and infant transport are available through the toll-free numbers 102 and 108—(KNO)