Sajid Raina

Jammu, Feb 03 : The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said that critical healthcare infrastructure in Bandipora district is being upgraded under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and allied schemes.

Replying to a query by Congress legislator Nizam-Ud-Din Bhat, Healthb Minister Sakina Itoo, per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said major interventions are underway at the District Hospital Bandipora to strengthen critical care services.

The minister said the 100-bedded district hospital Bandipora is already equipped with facilities including a CT scan, dialysis unit, Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), oxygen plants and ventilators.

Under the Emergency COVID Response Package-II (ECRP-II), a 12-bed paediatric hybrid ICU, a 30-bed oxygen-supported paediatric ward and a 10-bed maternal ICU have been established at the hospital, she said.

The government said that under PM-ABHIM, a 50-bed Critical Care Block has been approved for Bandipora, with the technical bid evaluated and the financial bid opened. Work has also commenced on a District Integrated Public Health Laboratory and 12 Block Public Health Units, she added.

She said that under ECRP-II, approval has been granted for four six-bedded and one 20-bedded prefabricated healthcare units in the district.

On the delay in completion of New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC) buildings at Gund Jehangir and Zurimanz, the minister said the delay was due to a change in funding from NABARD to the Department of Health Services, Kashmir, which is now releasing the required funds—(KNO)