Strengthening rural health

The Jammu and Kashmir government has taken several measures to improve helath facilities in Jammu and Kashmir. Ironically, the data of National Health Mission (NHM), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in its report Rural Health Statistics 2020-21 revealed that 3701 female Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery health workers posts have been sanctioned for sub-centre in rural areas in Jammu and Kashmir. Of these, 2426 posts are required, 3647 are in position, and 234 posts remain vacant.
Regarding the health workers male at Sub Centres in rural areas, 2426 posts are required, 1024 have been sanctioned, 844 posts are in position, 180 in position, and a shortfall of 1582 posts. Further, 891 female Auxiliary Nursing Midwifery health workers are required at Public Health Centres in rural areas. Of which 1025 stand sanctioned, 951 are in position, while 74 posts remain vacant. The statistics further states that there is a requirement of 1782 health assistant at Primary Health Centres in rural areas. Out of which 136 are sanctioned, 104 are in position, 32 posts are vacant, while 1678 are shortfall. Regarding the health assistant at Primary Health Centres in rural areas, the data states there is a requirement of 1782 posts, 136 are sanctioned, 104 are in position, 32 are vacant, and a shortfall of 1678 posts. Also, against the requirement of 891 doctors at Primary Health Centre (PHC) in rural areas, there are 1542 posts sanctioned, 965 are in position, and 577 posts of doctors stand vacant. Regarding the Surgeons at Community Health Centres (CHCs) in rural areas, the statistics read that there is a requirement of 63 posts; 84 have been sanctioned, 41 are in position, 43 are vacant, and a shortfall of 22 posts. Further, 63 Obstetricians and Gynecologists are required at CHCs in rural areas, 82 are sanctioned, 58 are in position, 24 are vacant, and there is a shortfall of 5 posts. As per the data, there is a requirement of 63 Physicians at CHCs in rural areas; 72 are sanctioned, 40 are in position, 32 are vacant, and there is a shortfall of 6 posts. Regarding the Pediatricians at CHCs in rural areas, there is a requirement of 63 posts in a rural area. Seventy are sanctioned, 42 are in position, 28 are vacant, and there is a shortfall of 21 posts. At the same time, 252 total specialists are required at CHCs in rural areas, 308 have been sanctioned, 181 are in position, 127 stands vacant, and a shortfall of 71 posts. The government is consistently working to upgrade health infra and the government will soon address this issue.