Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that PHC Sonamarg does not meet the criteria for full-scale upgradation as per IPHS-2022 norms, however, its capacity was enhanced during the annual Shri Amarnath Yatra.

This was stated by Minister in response to a question raised by Mian Mehar Ali regarding upgradation of PHC Sonamarg.

The Minister highlighted that during the peak periods as well as during the Amarnath Yatra, the facilities at PHC Sonamarg are being augmented through temporary reinforcement of manpower and infrastructure to manage the surge in demand. She highlighted that PHC Sonamarg is a 10-bedded facility with minor OT, general ward, labour room, lab section and is an en-route healthcare facility to Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra catering to healthcare requirements of general masses.

She informed that Sonamarg is a major tourist destination and Baltal is the base camp for Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, adding that a semi-permanent 100-bedded hospital has also been developed at Baltal under CSR.

The Minister said that the department has developed a robust mechanism in terms of deployment of additional manpower, facilitation of advanced machinery/equipment, drug consumables to ensure round-the-clock healthcare access to the tourists and local populace during the yatra period.