Planning Commission member reviews health scenario of Jammu and Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Planning Commission member Syeda Hameed today reviewed Jammu and Kashmir's overall health scenario, besides physical and financial status of several schemes being implemented for upgradation of healthcare infrastructure in the state.

Hameed met minister of state for Health Shabir Ahmad Khan at the Civil Secretariat here and discussed the overall health scenario, besides physical and financial status of several schemes being implemented for upgradation of healthcare infrastructure in the state under state and centre plans, a government spokesman said.

During the meeting, several matters like one-time special package for completion of ongoing health infrastructure, upgradation of drug and food testing laboratories, bone and joint hospital, extension of treatment facilities of non-communicable diseases (NCD) to all district hospitals, setting up of more trauma hospitals besides upgradation of mental healthcare facilities in the state came up for discussion, he said.

Besides senior Planning Commission officials, NRHM Mission Director Yashpual Sharma and other officials of the state health services attended the meeting.

The minister urged for increase in allocations under health sector to the state on the lines of other hill states and requested for sanction of special financial package from the Centre under NRHM and annual plan for completion of ongoing health projects in the state.

Khan apprised the Planning Commission member that though treatment facilities of NCD have been introduced in some hospitals, there is a need to cover all district hospitals under the scheme.

Assuring the minister of every possible step for upgrading healthcare facilities in the state, Hameed said, the Commission would consider the ground situation while releasing funds under different central schemes for improvement and upgradation of healthcare facilities in Jammu and Kashmir.