Srinagar, Dec 23 (KNO): Despite witnessing notable reforms, policy initiatives and infrastructure expansion during 2025, Jammu and Kashmir’s health sector continues to grapple with deep-rooted challenges that threaten to offset the gains made so far.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), while the government has invested significantly in upgrading healthcare facilities, the rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), severe manpower shortages, inadequate advanced diagnostic infrastructure, and delayed flagship projects like AIIMS Kashmir remain areas of serious concern.
Infrastructure push: Crores allocated, expectations high
In a major attempt to strengthen healthcare infrastructure across the Union Territory, the government announced an allocation of Rs 124.83 crore for upgrading critical medical facilities. According to the Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the funds were earmarked for installing advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment across multiple Government Medical Colleges (GMCs).
Out of the total allocation, Rs 124.83 crore was specifically sanctioned for installing CT scan facilities at GMC Jammu, MRI machines at GMC Baramulla, GMC Kathua and GMC Rajouri, a Cath Lab at GMC Doda, a PET scan facility at GMC Srinagar, and strengthening telemedicine services with the establishment of 80 telemedicine units across J&K.
At present, Kashmir has only one functional PET scan facility at SKIMS Soura, which caters to thousands of cancer patients from across the Valley. The proposed installation of a second PET scan machine at GMC Srinagar has therefore been widely welcomed by patients and healthcare professionals alike. Meanwhile, a PET scan facility at GMC Jammu was made operational only this year, providing some relief to cancer patients in the Jammu division.
Long-awaited relief: Bone & Joint Hospital Barzulla expansion
One of the most visible successes this year has been the operationalisation of a new block at the Bone and Joint Hospital, Barzulla, after years of delays. The additional space has significantly eased congestion, improving working conditions for doctors and nurses while offering better comfort and dignity to patients and their attendants.
Delayed promises: Anantnag maternity hospital still a dream
However, not all announcements have translated into action. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had announced a 250-bedded maternity and child care hospital in Anantnag, raising hopes among residents of south Kashmir. More than a year later, construction has yet to begin, forcing the hospital to continue functioning from an old, dilapidated and unsafe building, raising serious concerns about maternal and neonatal safety.
Decentralising care: Dialysis, geriatric and chemotherapy services
On a positive note, the establishment of dialysis centres at district and sub-district hospitals has emerged as a game-changer, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances to tertiary hospitals. The introduction of dedicated geriatric wards has also helped improve elderly care.
Similarly, chemotherapy units have been established in all district hospitals, benefiting hundreds of cancer patients who earlier had no option but to seek treatment in Srinagar or Jammu. The introduction of digital payment systems and the “scan and share” facility across hospitals has further streamlined patient services and improved efficiency.
The government has also proposed setting up a medical university at SKIMS, under which all medical colleges in J&K would function—an initiative being described as a potential milestone for academic and clinical coordination in the health sector.
Golden Card scheme: A lifeline for poor
The Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY SEHAT Scheme, popularly known as the Golden Card, has emerged as one of the most impactful health interventions in Jammu and Kashmir. The scheme provides Rs 5 lakh health insurance cover per family per year, enabling cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals.
The coverage includes diagnostics, medicines, surgeries and hospitalisation expenses, offering immense relief to economically weaker families who earlier could not afford treatment at private or tertiary-care institutions.
To ensure universal access, the government introduced an online registration system, allowing residents to download their Golden Cards from home via setu.pmjay.gov.in using ration and Aadhaar card details. The aim is to achieve 100% saturation, ensuring no resident is left out.
The scheme has facilitated thousands of free treatments, making quality healthcare accessible to the poorest sections of society. However, residents continue to demand the inclusion of caesarean deliveries under the scheme, citing high out-of-pocket expenses.
Mounting health challenges: A dual disease burden
Despite infrastructure upgrades, Jammu and Kashmir faces a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Communicable Diseases
Emerging infections such as dengue, swine flu, bird flu, Zika virus, and even global threats like Ebola pose constant risks. Dengue has become particularly problematic, with thousands of cases reported annually, especially in Jammu.
Non-communicable diseases on rise
Lifestyle-related diseases—including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, strokes, kidney failure, obesity, cancer and mental health disorders—are increasing at an alarming pace.
Health experts estimate that around 10% of the population in J&K and Ladakh suffers from diabetes, while over 20% are prediabetic, largely due to sedentary lifestyles, dietary changes and increased consumption of junk food.
Doctors warn that hypertension remains a silent killer, with nearly every third or fourth adult affected, yet almost half remain unaware of their condition.
"Hypertension often shows no symptoms. Many patients only discover it after suffering a heart attack or stroke,” doctors said.
Fertility decline, anaemia and COPD worsen public health picture
According to NFHS-5 (2019–21), J&K now has the lowest fertility rate in India, with a decline of 0.6% since NFHS-4 (2015–16). Experts attribute infertility to late marriages, obesity, lifestyle changes and poor dietary habits.
The prevalence of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is also increasing, with doctors stressing smoking cessation as the most effective preventive measure.
J&K ranks as the 6th highest State/UT in tobacco use, with 20.8% of adults smoking, according to GATS-2 data. While smokeless tobacco use remains low, smoking-related illnesses continue to rise.
Anaemia remains a critical concern, especially among women. Data from MoSPI’s Women and Men in India 2022 report shows that 66% of women in J&K are anaemic, a sharp rise from NFHS-4.
Drug abuse and mental health: A silent emergency
Drug abuse continues to plague the region. A parliamentary report estimates 13.5 lakh drug users in J&K, including over 5 lakh opioid addicts. Intravenous drug use has increased significantly, raising the risk of HIV, hepatitis and other infections.
Mental health issues are also escalating, with thousands of distress calls received by helplines over the past two years. Doctors have also flagged “virtual autism” among children due to excessive screen exposure.
Acute staff shortage: Nearly 16,000 vacancies
One of the most crippling challenges is the acute shortage of healthcare workers, with nearly 16,000 posts lying vacant across GMCs, the Directorate of Health Services Jammu and Kashmir, AYUSH and NHM.
More than 8,000 vacancies exist in GMCs alone, severely affecting service delivery—especially in rural areas where referrals have increased due to a lack of specialists.
Health Minister Sakina Itoo has acknowledged the gaps, stating that urgent recruitment and infrastructure upgrades are essential to reduce the burden on tertiary hospitals.
Rising cancer burden, delayed AIIMS Kashmir
Cancer incidence continues to rise sharply, with an average of 38 new cases detected daily. J&K recorded 14,112 cancer cases in 2024, taking the five-year total to 67,037 cases.
Meanwhile, AIIMS Awantipora remains incomplete, with only 70% physical progress achieved so far, according to the Union Health Ministry, further delaying much-needed tertiary care services.
Animal bite cases surge
Adding to public health concerns, over 12,000 animal bite cases have been reported at ARC SMHS Srinagar this year, including around 5,300 dog bites and over 6,500 cat bite cases, highlighting the need for stronger rabies control and public awareness.
While 2025 has seen meaningful reforms and investments in Jammu and Kashmir’s health sector, persistent challenges—ranging from disease burden and staff shortages to delayed mega projects—continue to test the system.
Experts stress that without urgent action on manpower recruitment, preventive healthcare and timely completion of infrastructure projects, the gains made may fall short of addressing the region’s growing healthcare needs—(KNO)