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| Govt. need to earmark more funds for health sector | | |
Over the years it has been seen that the successive state Governments have earmarked meagre sums of money for health sector development when
compared to budgetary allocations for the sectors of social services,education,agriculture and industry.Whatever major health care institutions that have come up in Jammu and Kashmir,during the last over 30 years,it is the result of liberal financial assistance from the Government of India.Judged by the number of patients that need treatment in the hospitals and other health centres annually there is an imperative need for the state Government to increase annual financial allocations for the health sector.As a result of slow development in the overall health sector a large number of patients have to bank on the medical advice and treatment in Government and private hospitals outside the state.There is no doubt that the health sector has witnessed growth but the growth has not kept pace with the ever increasing population.When one talks of marked progress in the number of health institutions one does refer to the increase from 124 institutions in
1950-51 to 48404 in 2009.No doubt the number of doctors available in the hospitals for treating patients has increased the patient-doctor ratio has not gone very high.In 1980-81 there were 37 doctors per lakh population which improved to 47 doctors per lakh population in 2009.In fact even at present there is one doctor per 2142 patients.When one compares with the number of health institutions the st ate of Jammu and Kashmir has with other states the progress has not been dismal because at present there is one institute of medical
sciences,four medical colleges,12 associated hospitals,one Ayurvedic college and three dental colleges.In addition to this three more colleges and over 30 primary health centres,400-bed maternity hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu,a trauma care centres at seven hospitals along the national highway are coming up a large number of patients have to bank on doctors working in private clinics where they have to pay through their nose.Others who need surgeries have to wait for months together as the availability of beds in the hospitals is limited.The rise of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989 has added new dimensions to the health problems of people in the state.According to the doctors the incidence of stress diabetes,hypertension,psyhiatric disorders,trauma of different types,renal and heart diseases in Jammu and Kashmir is the highest when compared to other states.This naturally calls for vigorous steps for streamlining and upgrading the health care
sector.The state Government needs to increase annual financial allocations for the health care sector.In addition to this the private sector,including some NGOs and philanthrophists too could be roped in for lending a helping hand in the development of the health sector so that there was neither the shortage of doctors nor that of the beds and medicines and surgical equipments in the hospitals.A man from Jammu is the Union Health Minister and the state Government should take up the issue of weak health care infrastructure with Ghulam Nabi Azad so that he formulated a fresh plan for augumenting the financial support for the sector in Jammu and Kashmir.The recruiting agencies be asked to expedite selection of doctors and paramedical staff so that the health care system in the rural areas was fully upgraded.(eom)
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