In another step towards better healthcare ecosystem in JK, Administrative Council (AC), under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, on July 6 approved proposal of Health and Medical Education Department to construct a 100-bedded Mother & Child Health Care Hospital at Lamberi Rajouri,
Being constructed under National Health Mission (NHM) at an estimated cost of Rs. 47.232 Crore and likely to be completed by 2024-25, the new hospital according to the officials will be equipped with facilities for emergency ward, OPD, IPD and operation theatres.
Besides MCH services, the hospital will also provide general healthcare and accidental services to the common masses besides serving the emergent health needs of tourists and pilgrims.
The AC, highest decision making body of government, also approved up-gradation of the 30-bedded Community Health Centre at Billawar, Kathua to a 100- bedded Sub-District Hospital at an estimated cost of Rs. 28.18 crore. The project will be completed in the financial year 2023-24.
The project will strengthen the healthcare services of the area and help increase life expectancy and decrease IMR/ MMR in the region, the government underlined. These decisions are welcome on part of the government. Building quality infrastructure is very important. All places including the far-flung areas need to have adequate, affordable, and reliable healthcare facilities.
While the government has taken many steps towards reducing the gap between rural and urban areas and between the rich and the poor, disparities still remain, and access to healthcare in rural areas still remains a huge challenge. There is need to build a strong and comprehensive primary healthcare system to accomplish further advancements in health status of the populations and to reduce various disparities.
The government also needs to work towards ensuring availability of the health professionals who can provide a range of care, for a range of conditions to people across the life cycle. Also the government needs to put a special focus towards connected issues such as malnutrition among women and children. Constant efforts need to be taken to improve the Infant Mortality Rate and other allied issues which, therefore, require taking care of the health of the mother and the new born preceding the birth and following the birth of the infant. The administration should aim to improve healthcare facilities and a lot of effort on many counts is needed.