Strengthening Rural Healthcare Key to Easing Burden on Tertiary Hospitals: Dr Mir Mushtaq

Strengthening Rural Healthcare Key to Easing Burden on Tertiary Hospitals: Dr Mir Mushtaq Emphasising the critical role of primary and secondary healthcare, Block Medical Officer (BMO) Magam, Dr Mir Mushtaq, on Sunday said that revamping and strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure is essential to reduce pressure on tertiary-level institutions. In a special interview with Greater Kashmir Senior Editor Nazir Ganaie, Dr Mushtaq underscored the need for renewed focus, investment, and operational vibrancy in rural healthcare systems to ensure accessible and efficient medical services at the grassroots. “Primary Health Centres (PHCs), sub-district hospitals and district hospitals are fully capable of handling basic emergencies and common ailments. Unnecessary influx of patients to tertiary hospitals for minor issues like cough, cold, or routine symptoms not only overburdens advanced facilities but also undermines the role of peripheral healthcare institutions,” he said. Dr Mushtaq stressed that healthcare workers must be trusted and given adequate operational space to function effectively in their designated areas. “Empowering doctors and paramedical staff at the rural level is crucial for a well-balanced healthcare delivery system,” he added. Highlighting the importance of collaboration, Dr Mushtaq said that public-private partnerships could play a transformative role in bringing efficiency, innovation, and employment opportunities to the sector. “Such collaborations can inject much-needed vibrancy into rural healthcare while also creating job avenues for unemployed youth in the Valley,” he noted. He reiterated that a robust rural healthcare framework would not only improve patient outcomes locally but also significantly strengthen tertiary care by allowing specialised institutions to focus on complex and critical cases. Dr Mushtaq called for collective responsibility from both the public and policymakers to reinforce trust in peripheral healthcare facilities and ensure sustainable healthcare delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.