Srinagar, Feb 06 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday outlined an ambitious roadmap to "further strengthen" Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare system while presenting the Budget for 2026–27. He highlighted "unprecedented" investments in health infrastructure, medical education, advanced diagnostics and digital healthcare delivery.
Addressing the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that significant upgradation of health infrastructure over recent years has transformed public healthcare services and medical education across the Union Territory.
“More than 4,000 health infrastructure facilities have been developed in recent years, including the establishment of 15 Medical Colleges, two AIIMS and two State Cancer Institutes, which together mark a new era in healthcare accessibility and quality in J&K,” he said.
The CM informed the House that several major healthcare projects have either been completed or fast-tracked to meet growing patient needs.
Among the key achievements, he said the new 160-bedded block at the Bone & Joint Hospital in Srinagar, constructed at a cost of ₹140 crore, has been fully operational since July 2025, significantly easing patient load and improving orthopaedic care in the Valley.
In Jammu division, the 100-bedded Mother and Child Care Hospital at Lamberi in Rajouri has been commissioned, while Sub-District Hospital Billawar has been upgraded into a 100-bedded facility. Construction of a 50-bedded hospital at Sunderbani is progressing rapidly, alongside the upgradation of the 100-bedded hospital at Nowshera.
In Kashmir, work on the 125-bedded District Hospital at Reshipora in Budgam has been accelerated to strengthen secondary-level healthcare services.
“These projects are aimed at ensuring that quality medical treatment is available closer to people’s homes, especially in rural and border areas,” Abdullah said.
To modernise diagnostic services, the government has initiated the installation of 1.5 Tesla MRI machines in new Government Medical Colleges and 3 Tesla MRIs at GMC Jammu, GMC Srinagar and SKIMS, providing high-end imaging facilities previously available only in limited centres.
Additionally, CT Scan machines are being installed in major hospitals, including District Hospital Budgam, Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital Srinagar, District Hospital Poonch, Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital Jammu, Chest Disease Hospital Jammu and SMHS Srinagar.
The Chief Minister further announced that PET-Scan facilities will be installed at GMC Srinagar, with plans to extend the service to GMC Kathua during 2026–27, significantly boosting cancer diagnosis and staging. “This expansion of diagnostic infrastructure will reduce referrals outside J&K and ensure timely detection of life-threatening diseases,” he said.
To improve access in far-flung and mountainous areas, Omar said Mobile Medical Units and Mobile Dental Units are being introduced to deliver healthcare at people’s doorsteps.
He also highlighted the success of the SEHAT App, a digital health platform integrating patients, doctors and hospitals. “More than 16 lakh users have already benefited from the SEHAT App, which is revolutionising healthcare delivery by bringing services on a single digital platform,” he said.
Further strengthening telemedicine services, the Budget has provided ₹32 crore for establishing 80 Telemedicine Centres, enabling remote clinical consultations in remote regions.
Recognising the growing challenge of substance abuse, Abdullah said De-addiction OPDs are already functional across the UT, while six new de-addiction facilities are under construction to expand rehabilitation and counselling services. “This is a crucial social and health intervention to protect our youth and families,” he added.
The Budget also focuses on expanding AYUSH education and services. Construction of a Homoeopathic College at Rakh-Hoshiari in Kathua and an Ayurvedic College at Amargarh in Sopore will begin in 2026–27.
All 523 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs dedicated to AYUSH services are now fully operational across J&K, providing preventive healthcare and traditional therapies. The government has also commissioned a 10-bedded Integrated AYUSH Hospital at Jammu and a Government Ayurvedic Hospital at Kulgam.
The Chief Minister announced a historic increase in medical seats to strengthen the healthcare workforce.
During the current year alone, 548 new medical seats will be added, including: 340 MBBS seats, 128 Postgraduate seats, 34 PG seats in Ayurveda and 46 DNB seats.
Omar further announced that AIIMS Kashmir will be commissioned by June 2026, marking a major milestone in tertiary healthcare and research.
Additional MBBS seats have been sanctioned across medical colleges: GMC Srinagar – 20 seats, GMC Jammu – 20 seats, GMC Doda – 50 seats, GMC Anantnag – 50 seats, GMC Baramulla – 50 seats and GMC Kathua – 50 seats
To improve nursing education, 10 new Nursing Colleges will be established to create a skilled healthcare workforce.
For strengthening medical college infrastructure, the government has approved 240 MBBS and 120 PG seats with a dedicated budget of ₹216 crore for FY 2026–27.
The CM said the Health & Medical Education sector has been allocated ₹1,866 crore under capital expenditure for 2026–27, reflecting the government’s commitment to making quality healthcare accessible, affordable and modern.
“This budget lays the foundation for a resilient healthcare system that serves every citizen of Jammu and Kashmir with dignity and efficiency,” the Chief Minister said—(KNO)