Jammu & Kashmir is witnessing a far-reaching transformation in the healthcare sector, marked by massive infrastructure development, unprecedented expansion in medical education, and sustained support from the Government of India.
Strategic investments made over the past several years by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) have fundamentally reshaped healthcare delivery across the Union Territory (UT), ensuring that quality medical services are accessible not only in urban centres but also in rural, border and geographically challenging areas.
Large-scale healthcare infrastructure projects and systematic upgradation of services at the grassroots level have played a pivotal role in redefining the healthcare landscape of Jammu & Kashmir, an official said on Tuesday.
These initiatives have not only enhanced the quality of medical services but have also ensured their availability closer to the doorsteps of people residing in far-flung and remote regions of the UT.
A cornerstone of this transformation is the establishment of two All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu & Kashmir—an achievement that has elevated the UT’s healthcare ecosystem to national and global standards. AIIMS Jammu, now fully operational, is providing world-class tertiary and super-specialty healthcare services.
Equipped with advanced diagnostic, surgical and critical care facilities, the institute has significantly reduced the need for patients to seek specialized treatment outside the UT. Beyond patient care, AIIMS Jammu has also emerged as a centre of excellence for medical education and research, contributing substantially to capacity building and the advancement of medical knowledge in the region.
AIIMS Kashmir, sanctioned by the Government of India and nearing completion, is expected to become operational by the end of the year. Once functional, it will play a transformative role in strengthening advanced healthcare services in the Valley, particularly in super-specialties such as oncology, cardiology and neurology. Together, the two AIIMS represent a long-term investment in equitable, high-quality healthcare for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Another major milestone in the UT’s healthcare journey has been the rapid expansion of Government Medical Colleges, which has significantly strengthened both district-level healthcare delivery and medical education.
From just four medical colleges a few years ago, Jammu & Kashmir now has twelve medical colleges, including newly established institutions in underserved districts. This expansion also includes AYUSH institutions such as the Government Ayurvedic College, Government Unani College at Ganderbal, and the Government Homeopathic College at Kathua, thereby strengthening traditional systems of medicine and offering diverse, affordable healthcare options to the public.
These institutions have improved access to specialist doctors, diagnostics and emergency services while simultaneously functioning as teaching hospitals, substantially enhancing local healthcare capacity.
The expansion of healthcare infrastructure has been complemented by a historic increase in medical education capacity, ensuring the long-term sustainability of healthcare services in the UT. MBBS seats have increased from 500 to 1,725—an addition of over 1,200 seats—addressing the long-standing shortage of doctors. Postgraduate and super-specialty seats have risen from 513 to 802, strengthening specialist availability across disciplines. DNB seats have witnessed an exponential increase from 20 to 438, enabling in-service doctors to receive advanced training within the UT itself.
Recognising the critical role of allied health professionals, Jammu & Kashmir has also seen a major push in nursing, paramedical and pharmacy education. B.Sc. Nursing seats have increased from 685 to over 3,000, while B.Sc. Paramedical seats have jumped from just 78 to nearly 1,900. B-Pharmacy seats have increased from 33 to 373.
Several large-scale healthcare infrastructure projects supported by the Government of India are currently at advanced stages of development. These include a 243-bedded modern Labour Block at SMGS Hospital, Jammu, aimed at strengthening maternal and neonatal care, and a 100-bedded Mother & Child Hospital at Lamberi in Rajouri, catering to border and rural populations.
Under PM-ABHIM, 17 Critical Care Blocks—comprising 15 blocks of 50 beds each and two blocks of 100 beds each—are being established to enhance emergency and critical care services. These state-of-the-art facilities are designed to decentralize critical healthcare services and ensure timely access to life-saving care closer to communities.
At the grassroots level, Government of India-supported initiatives have transformed primary healthcare delivery. The number of Health & Wellness Centres has increased from 130 to 3,166, ensuring comprehensive primary healthcare services at the village level. These interventions have brought healthcare closer to the people, reduced out-of-pocket expenditure, and strengthened preventive and early diagnostic care.
Specialized healthcare services have been further reinforced with the operationalization of State Cancer Institutes in Jammu and Srinagar, Bone & Joint Hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar, and a fully functional 500-bedded Pediatric Hospital in Srinagar equipped with allied super-specialties.
The cumulative impact of these reforms is reflected in improved health indicators across the UT. The Infant Mortality Rate has declined from 22 to 14, while the Sex Ratio at Birth has improved from 927 to 976, underscoring significant progress in maternal and child healthcare.