Srinagar , Sep 05 (KNS) : Member of Parliament for the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, Mian Altaf Ahmad, has called upon the Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department to take urgent steps to overhaul health infrastructure and fill critical staff vacancies across hospitals and primary health centers in District Rajouri .

In a statement issued , the Member of Parliament expressed serious concern over the growing operational constraints faced by Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri, sub-district hospitals, and rural healthcare facilities. Highlighting the difficulties faced by local residents—particularly those living in remote, hilly, and border belts.

Mian Altaf emphasized that access to quality healthcare remains a fundamental need. He pointed out that key medical facilities in the district are currently overburdened, operating under acute shortages of specialist doctors, medical officers, nurses, and technical staff.

Mian Altaf said Upgrading Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs) with essential diagnostic machinery, life-saving drugs, and round-the-clock power back-ups to minimize referrals to urban hospitals besides Deployment of fully equipped Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances to ensure timely transportation of critical patients from far-flung rural zones.

“ Healthcare is a basic right for every citizen, and rural districts like Rajouri cannot be left to suffer due to administrative delays or workforce gaps.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe Health Department must prioritize filling sanctioned vacancies and upgrading critical diagnostic equipment so that local families receive timely care at home rather than travelling to Jammu or Srinagar," stated Mian Altaf Ahmad.

Mian Altaf also expressed grief over the death of a local resident Showket Ahmad who reportedly suffered a heart attack while aggrieved family members and local residents alleged that adequate emergency and specialised healthcare facilities were not available at Thannamandi Hospital, raising serious concerns about the healthcare infrastructure catering to the vast population of the sub- region.

Mian Altaf demanded immediate strengthening and upgradation of the existing health facilities. He said that Thannamandi Hospital caters to a large population not only from Thannamandi but also from several adjoining areas, and urged the Government and the Health Department to take immediate and concrete steps to upgrade Thannamandi Hospital to a Sub-District Hospital and provide it with adequate doctors, specialists, emergency facilities, diagnostic services, ambulances, medical equipment and other essential infrastructure.(KNS)