Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Sept 29: The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has found that none of the sub centre/primary health centre/community health centre in Kashmir was upgraded to the level of Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) during 2012-17.
In its report tabled in the Parliament last week, the CAG has also pulled up the authorities for financial mismanagement which manifested in non-utilization of available funds in full, diversion of funds for purposes not approved and procurements without complying with the provisions of the Financial Code.
The report also states that Kashmir division was short of 40 Community Health Centres and 975 sub-centres as of March 2017.
It also reveals that about 51 per cent health institutions in the Kashmir division were functioning from hired accommodation and none of the SCs/ PHCs/ CHCs had been upgraded to the level of IPHS in Kashmir division during 2012-17.
The auditor states availability of health care human resources in the 12 District Hospitals in Kashmir region vis-a-vis Indian Public Health Standards was 93 per cent for medical staff and 50 per cent for paramedics.
It further reveals that no post was sanctioned separately for Blood Banks in 12 District Hospitals against required 72 posts as per Indian Public Health Standards.
“There was overall shortage of 340 (25 per cent) and 3,816 (62 per cent) para-medical staff in 50 Community Health Centres and 557 Primary Health Centres/ New Type Primary Health Centres respectively as compared to Indian Public Health Standards,” the report reveals.
The audit has laid bare that targets fixed under various family planning measures and immunization were not achieved and there was prevalence of vaccine preventable infant and child diseases.
Audit checks of records showed that the Health Planning and Monitoring Committees (HPMCs) to assess the progress made under various activities were not constituted at any level.
As per guidelines, HPMCs were to be formed at PHC, Block. District, and State levels to ensure regular community based monitoring of activities at respective levels, along with facilitating relevant inputs for planning. (KNO)