A Look at Government Healthcare Investments in Jammu & Kashmir

Published On: March 22, 2025

The Government of India has invested Rs 3,481.03 crore over the past four years to enhance the healthcare infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes. Despite this substantial financial commitment, the demand for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in North Kashmir remains unfulfilled, as the government has clarified that no such proposal is currently under consideration.

Major Healthcare Initiatives and Financial Allocations

The funds have been allocated under key healthcare schemes, including:

National Health Mission (NHM): Focused on making healthcare more accessible and affordable.
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM): Strengthening the health infrastructure across the region.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): Providing financial protection for medical treatment.

Breakdown of NHM, PM-ABHIM, and AB-PMJAY Funding:

NHM: Rs 459.10 crore in 2021-22, Rs 651.52 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 805.22 crore in 2023-24.
PM-ABHIM: Rs 16.11 crore in 2021-22, Rs 1.00 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 44.01 crore in 2023-24.
AB-PMJAY: Rs 75.12 crore in 2021-22, Rs 85.62 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 42.22 crore in 2023-24.

These details were presented in the Lok Sabha by Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (MoS) in the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in response to a query from Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, also known as Engineer Rashid.

AIIMS and Medical College Developments in J&K

The government has already sanctioned two AIIMS institutions in the Union Territory:

AIIMS Vijaypur, Jammu
AIIMS Awantipora, Kashmir

However, no new AIIMS is planned for North Kashmir at this stage.

Financial Support for AIIMS in Jammu and Kashmir:

AIIMS Jammu: Rs 305.00 crore (2021-22), Rs 398.45 crore (2022-23), Rs 402.39 crore (2023-24), Rs 212.22 crore (2024-25).
AIIMS Awantipora: Rs 130.00 crore (2021-22), Rs 290.00 crore (2022-23), Rs 333.17 crore (2023-24), Rs 255.00 crore (2024-25).

The funds have been released under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) to enhance healthcare facilities in the region.

Expansion of Medical Education in J&K

The government has sanctioned seven new medical colleges in:

Anantnag
Baramulla
Doda
Kathua
Rajouri
Udhampur
Handwara

Under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), these colleges will be attached to existing district/referral hospitals to improve medical education and training facilities. According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Jammu & Kashmir will get new medical colleges in Udhampur and Handwara (Kupwara district), while Ladakh will have its first-ever medical college in Leh.

The initiative, is part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen healthcare education by establishing 157 new medical colleges across India, with a focus on aspirational districts and border regions, the ministry said.
It said these new institutions aim to improve access to medical education and address the shortage of healthcare professionals in remote areas.

In addition to the newly approved colleges, Jammu & Kashmir already has five medical colleges in Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri, Doda and Kathua, established under earlier phases of the scheme. The government has also approved 196 PG seats and 60 MBBS seats for various medical institutions in the region to enhance medical education opportunities.

Enhancements in Postgraduate and Undergraduate Medical Seats:

Postgraduate (PG) Seats: 196 PG seats have been approved for J&K under the CSS scheme for strengthening and upgrading medical colleges.
MBBS Seats: 60 additional MBBS seats have been sanctioned under the CSS for upgrading existing medical colleges.

The financial allocations reflect the government’s commitment to medical education. Under CSS for PG seat expansion, J&K received Rs 11.47 crore in 2021-22 and Rs 7 crore in 2023-24.

Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure and Staffing

The Union Health Ministry emphasized that the recruitment of medical and paramedical staff, availability of medical equipment, and enhancement of testing facilities primarily fall under the responsibility of the state government. However, the Centre provides financial and technical support through NHM to:

Improve healthcare services
Fill medical staffing gaps
Upgrade diagnostic and testing facilities

These measures aim to bridge gaps in the region’s healthcare system and ensure better medical care for residents.

The Government of India’s investment of over Rs 3,481 crore in Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare sector underscores its commitment to strengthening medical infrastructure and education. While the demand for an AIIMS in North Kashmir remains unaddressed, the financial backing for AIIMS Vijaypur and AIIMS Awantipora, along with the establishment of seven new medical colleges, highlights the ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility and quality in the region.