Srinagar, Mar 24 (KNO): The government said on Monday that the hospital in the Chanapora area of Srinagar is functioning as a Primary Health Centre (PHC) and not as a Sub-District Hospital (SDH).
Responding to MLA Mushtaq Guroo's inquiry, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakina Itoo, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that during the year 2010-11, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare of India approved a 30-bedded hospital at PHC Chanapora under the National Health Mission (NHM). The building was constructed and inaugurated as a PHC in 2014.
"The working hours of PHC Chanapora adhere to official timings, operating from 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Additionally, the staff strength comprises 21 from the regular side and 2 from the NHM side, with 17 in-position from the regular side (including 4 medical officers and 2 dental surgeons) and 2 from the NHM side," she said.
Itoo said the hospital is not functioning as a sub-district hospital but as a PHC. "Nevertheless, it has been strengthened with equipment and additional manpower from NHM. Primary healthcare services are provided, ensuring equitable access to quality care, including free screenings for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancers (oral, breast, cervical)," she said, adding, "Essential medicines and diagnostics are available free of charge, with 175 drugs and 39 diagnostics at PHCs, and 96 drugs and 14 diagnostics at SCs, alongside preventive, promotive, and curative healthcare services focused on early detection and effective disease management, as well as health awareness and wellness programs promoting healthier lifestyles within the community."
The minister said no room at PHC Chanapora has been allotted to any influential NGO, but a geriatric centre for the elderly has been established at the PHC and is currently operational.
Responding to another question from MLA Justice Hasnain Masoodi, the minister said promoting sports plays a vital role in combating the ever-increasing menace of drug addiction, helping to keep youth away from drugs.
By engaging youth in sports, they can develop essential life skills such as discipline, hard work, and teamwork, which can help them resist the temptation of drug use, she said, adding that the focus of the "My Youth, My Pride" activities is to engage youth in sports.
"The playfields developed by the Youth Services & Sports Department are being actively utilised by the public and are also being used by the staff of the department for sports activities as per the activity calendar. Various maintenance activities are being carried out regularly to ensure optimum upkeep of these fields," she said.
The minister said the department is also making efforts to upgrade and develop playfields and other sports infrastructure as per the availability of financial resources—(KNO)