Srinagar, Oct 09 (KNO): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced an increase in the intake capacity of MBBS courses in Jammu & Kashmir from 500 to 1100. It also informed that Rs 881 crore has been spent on upgrading of health institutions in the Union Territory.
According to the MHA’s Annual Report for the year 2022-23, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the intake capacity of MBBS courses in the region has significantly increased from 500 to 1100 and a total of Rs 881 crore has been invested in upgrading and rebuilding 140 health institutions.
The report highlights the swift progress in the construction of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu and Awantipora, underlining the government’s dedication to providing advanced healthcare services.
Additionally, the establishment of seven new government medical colleges and 15 nursing colleges is underway, the report says.
As per the report, Jammu & Kashmir has achieved remarkable milestones in the vaccination drive, with 100% coverage for both doses of COVID-19 vaccines in the age group of 15-17 years and 18 and above. Vaccination for the 12-14 years category was initiated on March 16, 2022, with 93% of this population receiving the first dose and 85% completing their second dose by October 31, 2022.
Moreover, J&K has launched Universal Health Coverage, notably the AB-PMJAY-SEHAT Scheme, a comprehensive health insurance initiative providing coverage up to Rs 5 lakh per family on a floater basis to all families of the UT. The scheme has extended health insurance to 25.72 lakh families, including 5.98 lakh under PM-JAY and 19.74 lakh under the UT scheme SEHAT.
Out of 97.17 lakh eligible beneficiaries, 78.12 lakh have been verified, and 78.06 lakh have received Golden Cards, the report adds—(KNO)