SRINAGAR, Aug 8: Minister Sakeena Itoo today said the J&K Government has taken up the demand for an increase in the honorarium of NHM workers with the Centre.
She said she had also raised the issue with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda during her recent meeting with him.
Speaking to reporters after inaugurating the newly constructed 50-bed Sub-District Hospital (SDH) at Qaimoh in the Devsar area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam, Itoo said the concerns of NHM workers were genuine and acknowledged their contribution to the healthcare system.
“Their contribution is great. They do a lot of work,” she said, adding that the honorarium of NHM workers is funded by the Government of India.
Itoo said she had personally raised the issue with Nadda, who, she said, assured her that the matter would be examined.
She added that the J&K Government was also looking into other issues concerning the workers.
Her remarks came amid an announcement by NHM workers that they would resume their agitation after August 15 over their demands.
On the Qaimoh hospital, Itoo said its inauguration fulfilled a long-standing demand of the local population and would improve access to healthcare for residents of Qaimoh and adjoining areas.
“The Government is according special focus to upgrading healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir. All measures are being taken to strengthen hospitals and health centres, including the recruitment of staff and upgradation of both clinical and non-clinical facilities,” she said.
Constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 19.32 crore by the R&B Division, Kulgam, the hospital is a modern ground-plus-three-storey building with a plinth area of 19,900 square feet and a total carpet area of 58,000 square feet.
The facility has a capacity of 50 inpatient beds and includes OPDs, IPDs, diagnostic laboratories and dedicated areas for patients and hospital staff.
Itoo also announced plans to establish a separate dialysis section at the facility, citing the difficulties faced by patients who currently have to travel to Srinagar for the service.
She said the Qaimoh hospital could be upgraded in the future, including an increase in its bed capacity, depending on the requirements of the local population.
The Minister said the Government had expedited the hospital project, which had remained pending for a considerable period, to ensure that the facility was finally brought into use for the local population.
She said strengthening healthcare infrastructure and expanding patient-care facilities remained a priority of the J&K Government, with efforts underway to upgrade medical facilities and improve access to quality healthcare services across the Union Territory.
Itoo also termed the FIR registered against PDP leader Iltija Mufti a “fixed match”, alleging that the controversy was being used to divert public attention from remarks made by PDP president Mehbooba Mufti at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
