The Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat today informed the Legislative Assembly that the government is considering merging of CHC Sumbal, NTPHC Nowgam and PHC Trigam with SKIMS on full time basis as per the Medical Council of India (MCI) norms.
He said presently their administrative control lies both with SKIMS and Directorate of Health Services Kashmir and the move is aimed to remove dual control and to streamline the functioning of these health institutions.
Replying to a question by Muhammad Akbar Lone, the Minister further said that most of the vacancies of doctors and paramedics have been filled up in these health institutions and remaining will be filled up soon. He informed that all attachments in the Health department have been cancelled and the detached incumbents will join their proper place of postings soon.
Meanwhile, he informed that the administrative control of CHC Hajin and NTPHC Naid Khai shall continue to be with the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir.
The opposition members created noisy scenes over attachment of director SKIMS.
The opposition members from NC also staged a walkout saying that government has failed to resolve the serious issue of SKIMS Soura.
The NC legislator from Homshalibugh constituency Abdul Majeed Larmi stood up from his seat and asked the Speaker Kavinder Gupta as why no one from government responded the concern over removal of director SKIMS Prof A G Ahanger.
Meanwhile, the opposition members pressed on Speaker to direct government to debate over the issue of removal of director SKIMS.
NC legislator from Kangan constituency Mian Altaf Ahmad joined the chorus and said people were dying in SKIMS due to strike of doctors against government action.
“Patients coming from 100 km distance are not being admitted nor is surgery department working. Patients are not being admitted there,” he said.
Mian Altaf castigated the government saying “Mann maani say kaam nahi chalay ga; SKIMS sab ka hai.”
Meanwhile health minister while responding to opposition members told the House that emergency and OPD wards were working while as nurses are on duty as well.
“The matter is sub-judice and we can’t say anything more,” he said.
The reply however didn’t satisfy the opposition and they staged a walkout from the House.
“We are walking out in protest,” Mian Altaf shouted towards the treasury benches.
Ruling PDP MLA Raja Manzoor told the House that people in his region were dying every day. “They are dying on many accounts… health and then for want of roads,” he told the House.
“But you are unmoved,” Manzoor said while pointing at Bali Bhagat.
“A diploma holder has been posted in health department in Karnah for last 20 years.”
PDP MLA from Rafiabad Yawar Mir said that Trauma Hospital Pattan was non-functional for long “despite commitment from former CM late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed”.