Healthcare sector in Jammu & Kashmir recorded a marked improvement in the year 2010–11 with a number of health indicators even bettering the national averages.

“Health indicators in Jammu & Kashmir have improved in year 2010–11. They are better than national averages now,” director, National Rural Health Mission, Dr Yashpaul Sharma told PTI.

The state figures have recorded estimated birth rate of 18.3, death rate 5.7 and infant mortality rate 43 (per 1000) against the corresponding figures of 22.1, 7.2 and 47 at the national level.

Also, the child sex ratio in the state was 941 against the national average of 933 while the total fertility rate was 2.2 against 2.6 at the national level, he said.

Health services in the state are being provided free or at a very low charges, and more than 90 per cent In–Patient Door (IPD) patients are treated in government institutions, he said.

NRHM has been making efforts to make the functioning of health institutions 24x7 hours, Sharma said, adding that in the first instance, 157 PHCs have been strengthened as 24x7 PHCs.

Claiming that the state health ministry has met the target as per the plan, Dr Sharma said that against availability of Rs 666.23 crore including state share of Rs 73.62 crore, J&K Health department has incurred Rs 499.70 crore (75 per cent) by November 2011.

Rs 267 crores have been provided under NRHM for construction and upgradation of district hospitals, community health centres, PHCs and subcentres till date against which Rs 210 crores have been spent, he said. PTI