Mohammad Hanief
Jammu and Kashmir, a region renowned for its natural beauty and cultural richness, has been making significant strides in healthcare reform. From the snow-clad peaks of the Valley to the bustling plains of Jammu, healthcare infrastructure is being reshaped to meet the growing demands of a diverse and often remote population. However, alongside noteworthy achievements lie persistent challenges that continue to test the resilience of the region’s health system.
One of the most transformative interventions in recent years has been the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (AB-PMJAY). Launched in JAMMU AND KASHMIR as part of the broader national health mission, the scheme offers health insurance coverage of up to ?5 lakh per family per year, benefiting both Below Poverty Line (BPL) and non-BPL families. The initiative has significantly reduced out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and has helped make critical treatments accessible to underserved populations.
In line with this, hundreds of health and wellness centres have been upgraded to AyushmanArogyaMandirs, equipped to offer comprehensive primary care. These centres have improved outreach in remote areas, particularly where access to doctors and specialists was previously scarce.
Technology has played a crucial role in overcoming Jammu and Kashmir’s unique geographic challenges. The e-Sanjeevani Telemedicine Service, part of a nationwide digital health platform, has emerged as a lifeline for patients in mountainous and rural regions. Through virtual consultations with doctors across India, thousands of residents have received timely advice without the need to travel long distances.
Additionally, the Jan Aushadhi Scheme-with its growing network of pharmacies providing generic medicines at affordable prices-has alleviated the financial burden of drug costs for thousands of families.
At the heart of Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare infrastructure are its premier institutions, including the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) in Srinagar and the Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu and Srinagar. These institutes provide tertiary care services, conduct research, and serve as teaching hospitals for future generations of healthcare professionals.
SKIMS, in particular, has been pivotal in advancing specialist care and medical education since its inception in 1982. GMCs across the region have been instrumental in serving high patient volumes while also expanding postgraduate and super-specialty education.
Despite progress, Jammu and Kashmir is facing a worrying rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions. An estimated 7.8% of the population suffers from diabetes, with over 10% in the pre-diabetic stage. These diseases, once more prevalent in urban centres, are now increasingly found in rural populations as well, driven by lifestyle changes and limited preventive care.
Equally concerning is the growing mental health crisis. Anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders have spiked in recent years, exacerbated by decades of conflict, unemployment, and social isolation. Mental health helplines have recorded thousands of distress calls, while professionals struggle to keep pace with demand amid a shortage of psychiatrists and clinical psychologists.
Perhaps most alarming is the rising tide of drug abuse, particularly among the youth. Recent surveys estimate that over 1.35 million people in Jammu and Kashmir are affected by substance use disorders, with more than half a million addicted to opioids. The spread of intravenous drug use has also raised fears of associated health risks such as hepatitis and HIV.
While the construction of new medical colleges and hospitals has expanded the physical footprint of healthcare services, glaring gaps in diagnostics and human resources remain. Key medical equipment, such as MRI and CT scanners, are often concentrated in a few tertiary hospitals, with many district and sub-district hospitals lacking radiology or oncology services altogether.
The region has only two PET scan facilities-one each at SKIMS and GMC Jammu-far below the requirement for a population of over 13 million. Many cancer patients still travel out of the union territory for advanced diagnostics or treatment, incurring significant financial and emotional costs.
Staffing also poses a critical challenge. Nearly 60% of sanctioned posts at leading hospitals like SKIMS are vacant, and thousands of paramedical and technical posts remain unfilled in rural health centres. In many hospitals, essential diagnostic equipment lies unused due to a lack of trained technicians or biomedical engineers.
To address these issues, the Jammu and Kashmiradministration has announced a slew of reforms and expansion plans such as a dedicated medical university is being proposed at SKIMS, which will bring all medical colleges under a unified regulatory and academic framework. This could streamline administration and enhance academic standards across institutions.
Also construction is underway on new hospital wings, including at LalDed Maternity Hospital and Bone and Joint Hospital Srinagar, which are expected to ease patient loads and modernize critical departments.
The health department has initiated large-scale recruitment drives for doctors, nurses, and paramedics. While bureaucratic delays persist, the increased attention to staffing is a welcome shift.
Experts emphasize that public health awareness and preventive medicine must be prioritized alongside infrastructure development. Immunization drives, maternal and child health programs, and nutrition campaigns have had measurable success, but there is a growing need to incorporate health education, screenings, and early interventions into every layer of the system.
The government has also launched initiatives focused on maternal health, adolescent hygiene, and non-communicable disease screening, with health workers conducting outreach in both schools and rural communities.
Healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir stands at a pivotal juncture. The region has witnessed meaningful reforms that have improved access, especially through digital platforms and insurance coverage. Major investments in hospital infrastructure, medical education, and drug availability have laid a solid foundation.
However, addressing chronic staffing shortages, expanding diagnostics, and confronting the mental health and drug crises are challenges that require urgent and sustained action. Equally vital is the empowerment of primary care systems and public health outreach, which form the first line of defense for millions of residents.
As Jammu and Kashmir continues on its journey of healing and growth, a resilient and inclusive healthcare system will be one of its most important pillars. The path forward lies not only in bricks and mortar but in policy, compassion, and the commitment to leave no one behind.