New Delhi, 01 August(KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member of the Parliament Hasnain Masoodi today met Dr. Mansukh Mandavya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, to highlight the grave problems of manpower crisis and medical equipment deficiency confronting healthcare system in Jammu and Kashmir.
 

Masoodi said while confidence in public healthcare system has increased over the years, there has not been corresponding increase manpower and diagnostic and other medical equipment and adequate steps were not being to fill up even sanctioned vacancies. 

The Minster was informed that while the number of beds in SKIMS, the main territory healthcare facility in Kashmir, has increased from 250 to 1250 yet the number doctors, consultants, specialists and above all Paramedics has not witnessed corresponding increase. 

He said, “The District Hospitals in Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian with the Outpatient numbers exceeding half a million per year are ill equipped to provide adequate medical care and face acute shortage of doctors, consultants and paramedics.”

Masoodi demanded sanction of MRI and Pet scan for MAB District Hospital and adequate number of doctors and consultants for SDH Shangus and upgradation of PHC Khrew to CHC to meet challenges of increasing number of pulmonary and cardiac patients in the area due to high levels of dust pollution and industrial emissions. 

He also raised the issue of grave injustice being done by NBMES to the FMGE candidates who appeared in the FMGE at Tripura centre and were declared successful. The Minister assured him that justice will be done to the candidates.(KNS).