Monday, 26 September 2011

Health Scenario Grim: One health unit for 3,097 persons


Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sep 26: Though State government is claiming bringing unprecedented reforms in the health sector, dismal health scenario in the government sector has not changed much. 

On an average 3,097 persons depended upon one health institution in the state as against 2,662 in 2000-01. To aggravate miseries of people, acute dearth of manpower and resources continue to mar basic purpose of proper health care in the state.

In 2007 there were 3,705 health institutions dispensing health services to the people and figures of 2004-05 to 2006-07 revealed that on an average 3,097 persons depended upon one health institution.

Regional profile of such institutions rate Ladakh on top with low dependence; for every 900 persons one institution has been formed while the Jammu region occupied position in between the Ladakh and Kashmir regions having on an average 2,738 persons per institution, says report of Directorate of Economics and Statistics.

However, in the Kashmir region 3,930 persons depend upon one health institution.

Drawing parallels between districts, report listed Kargil and Leh at the top with 858 and 948 persons per institution, respectively. Likewise, Srinagar and Baramulla figured at the bottom with 5,143 and 4,611 persons, respectively.

Statistics of three years from 2004-05 to 2006-07 indicated that one health institution has to cover an area of 27.14 sq km in the state not reflecting any visible improvement when compared to 27.12 sq km in 2000-01.

Official sources said shortage of doctors, paramedics and other staff besides resource-crunch were the major bottlenecks in ensuring proper health care to the people.

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