Jammu, Mar 9: Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma on Wednesday admitted in the Legislative Assembly that 400 health centres in the state were operating through “internal adjustment” with adhocism adversely affecting the functioning of the department.
 The Minister also admitted that about 80 percent of total health centres in the state were operating from rented or private accommodations.
 “I acknowledge that 400 health centres in the state are operating on internal-arrangement system as there is no post of doctors and paramedical staff in these institutions and these are being run through internal adjustment,” Sharma remarked in response to a volley of supplementaries regarding poor health infrastructure in some parts of the state.
 He admitted that some constituencies still lack requisite number of health centres in the Kashmir valley.
 He, however, said the government was contemplating to regularize 400 health centers presently operating through internal arrangements, adding that a comprehensive plan of Rs 2600 crore has been submitted to the Centre for further upgradation of healthcare facilities in the State.
 The Minister said due consideration would be given to upgrade healthcare facilities in every constituency under NRHM. He acknowledged that some constituencies lack healthcare facilities and assured that appropriate action would be taken for upgradation of health institutions as per the requirement of each area.
 The Minister said that under NRHM, the State has to expend Rs 1200 crore for enriching healthcare facility in the State, adding that only Rs 47 crore have been utilized by previous Government under the programme.
 Earlier, Leader of Opposition Mehbooba Mufti alleged that the health centres were being established on political considerations.
 “The Primary Health Centres were established on political considerations. You have said that 400 health centres were operating under internal adjustment system but there was only one sub-centre in Wachi constituency. I just want to know whether you have any proposal to cover the uncovered areas,” she maintained.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST