‘Upgradations’ in healthcare infra ‘appear’ only on paper
Facilities upgraded, created in 2002 still lack manpower
Srinagar: The state governments ‘giant leap’ in 2002 to bring about a transition in the healthcare infrastructure has failed to bear fruits as the move failed to speed up the healthcare delivery and improve the various facilities in this sector.
The government and the health department did not meet any success in providing the adequate manpower to run such facilities, resulting in the erratic functioning of these facilities that seem to have been upgraded only on paper.
The Manpower Audit report of 2018 reveals the ‘upgradation’ of various facilities, which were later left to fend for itself in the absence of the manpower, is raising questions over the logic of upgrading such facilities.
Five existing facilities, back in the year 2002, were converted to Maternity Hospitals, as per the Manpower Audit Report (MAR), but the development seemed to be just on paper. The facilities present at Safakadal Idgah, Watlar, Gulab Bagh, Khanmoh Pandrethan and Wayil were ‘upgraded’ to Maternity Hospitals, involving the creation of 4 posts each of Assistant Surgeons.
“11 PHCs were upgraded as SDHs—7 in Kashmir Valley, identified as SDH Chhatergam, SDH Shangus, SDH Gousia Khayar, SDH DH Pora, SDH Kokernag, SDH Zachaldara and SDH Kralgund,” reads the MAR report.
Similarly, 4 in Jammu Division, SDH Marh, SDH Mahore, SDH Teryath and SDH Koteranka were also upgraded. This upgradation also involved the creation of “6 posts of B-Grade Specialists (Consultants), 2 posts of Assistant Surgeons and 1 post of a Dental surgeon for each SDH,” the reports adds,
Further, 7 New PHCs were also established: PHC Hari Ganwan in Kangan, PHC Bab Nagri in Kangan, PHC Nowpora Budgam, PHC Gole Gujral, PHC Khera, PHC Krimchi Mansar / Panchari and PHC Androth.
“The establishment of these PHCs also involved the creation of 1 Post of Assistant Surgeon each, 02 PHCs were set up by upgrading 02 ADs AD Hapatnar, Anantnag and AD Ranipora) involving creation of 01 post of Assistant Surgeon each 03 PHCs were created by upgrading existing Sub-Centres/MAC (SC Marhama, SC Khiram and MAC Kokeroos,” the report said.
The creations or the upgradations that were undertaken the same year involved the engagement of manpower to run these healthcare facilities for the betterment of the population, however, the report points out that only 4 per cent of the staff was sanctioned to be posted at the upgraded and newly-created facilities till date.
“All these creations involving 140 Posts were later held in abeyance,” the report stresses.
Only 6 posts of Specialist were later sanctioned for SDH. But remaining 134 posts have been kept in abeyance since 2002 to this day, “which has made their functioning totally erratic and unsatisfactory for want of adequate Staff,” the report highlights.
The story does not end there. The failures are reflected in Jammu division as well. 2 out of 10 Districts in Jammu Divisions—the new districts which were created in the year 2007 by upgrading the existing Sub-districts—namely, Reasi and Samba, the reports says “still have SDH level Sanctioned Staff Strength” as District Level Staff was created for only “2 New District of the Jammu division, namely, Kishtwar and Ramban.”
In the same fashion, 03 out of the 10 Districts in Kashmir Division—the new districts which were created in the year 2007 by upgrading the existing Sub-districts—namely, Bandipora, Ganderbal and Shopian, still have, the report says “SDH level Sanctioned Staff Strength as District Level staff was created for only 1 New District i.e. Kulgam in the Kashmir division.”
Irfan Tramboo
