The healthcare landscape of Jammu & Kashmir has witnessed a remarkable transformation—from ancient healing practices rooted in tradition to a well-structured modern medical system. This article explores the historic journey of medical services in the region, the evolution of hospitals, introduction of allopathy, and the development of specialized healthcare institutions that shape the present-day healthcare infrastructure.

The shift toward modern medicine began during Maharaja Gulab Singh’s regime when British missionaries introduced allopathy to Kashmir. This marked a major turning point in the region’s healthcare system.

Maharaja Ranbir Singh strengthened this transition by allotting land for a missionary hospital in Srinagar in 1865. The establishment of a Medical Department consolidated allopathic, Ayurvedic, Unani, and Amchi treatments under one administrative structure. The department was headed by Bakshi Ram with Chief Medical Officers in Jammu and Srinagar.

The Maharaja promoted multilingual access to medical knowledge by having medical texts translated into Urdu, Dogri, Kashmiri, and Persian for the benefit of Vaids and Hakims.

In 1889, Maharaja Partap Singh laid the foundation for the Maharaja Hospital in Purani Mandi, later known as Sadar Hospital. A female dispensary was set up in 1890 with municipal funding, ensuring that women received outpatient and indoor services.

Public health reforms followed—clean drinking water, sanitation, garbage disposal, and epidemic management policies were introduced. Multiple dispensaries were built across the state.

• In 1915, Viceroy Lord Hardinge laid the foundation for King Edward Memorial Zenana Hospital (KEMZH), catering specifically to women.
• By 1935–36, the facility expanded into a 60-bedded hospital.
• Additional women’s hospitals emerged in Mirpur in 1938–39.
• A large leper hospital was developed in Gangyal, still standing today alongside Rajiv Gandhi Hospital.

From 1925 onwards, Maharaja Hari Singh took significant steps to modernize medical services. He introduced the post of Director Medical Services, usually held by senior British or Indian Medical Service officers. Dr. Govind Lal Vaishanavi became the first local appointee in 1941.

A state-of-the-art TB Hospital was established in 1937, later converted into Chest Diseases Hospital in 1955.
The Batote Sanatorium, built on 80 kanals in 1937, served TB patients with isolation and fresh air therapy—preserving countless lives including that of renowned Urdu writer Saadat Hasan Manto.

Several important acts were introduced, including:

• Vaccination Act (1928)
• Juvenile Smoking Regulation (1929)
• J&K Village Sanitation Act (1933)
• Medical Registration Act (1941)
• Drugs Act (1943)

Scholarship programs sent deserving students to study medicine in India and England.

Foundation of SMGS Hospital

Based on Pavilion system for hospitals with fresh air and natural light, foundation stone laid by Maharaja Hari Singh on May 6, 1940, Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh Hospital (SMGS) in the Shalamar Garden nearby the Sadar Hospital, was established in April 1943 as 172 bedded at the cost of Rupees Eight lakh. Sadar Hospital building was abandoned and later demolished in1950s for Super Bazar. Zenana Hospital was being used as stores and residential accommodation for SMGS was demolished to pave way for the new complex of J&K Assembly. Yuvaraj Karan Singh Hospital was opened in 1943 in Mirpur, built at the cost of Rs.1.8Lakh, presently in the Pak Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), probably the best district hospital in the state at that time, with no remains available due to rebuilding of the city.

After 1947, the medical ecosystem expanded rapidly with new hospitals, upgraded district facilities, and improved services.

 Epidemiologist alongwith staff would manage epidemics and preventable diseases. Special dispensaries were created for venereal diseases. Travelling dispensaries for women on the request of Maharani Katochji, had female doctors and staff travelling 10 days every month to villages till 1940. Medical Laboratory for drug manufacturing and testing, Drug Research Laboratory, started in 1941 on canal road Jammu under Col. RN Chopra. 

The first medical college in Jammu & Kashmir started functioning at Hazuri Bagh on the banks of the Jhelum at the site of the present Lal Ded Hospital in 1959. The Government Medical College Srinagar was inaugurated at its present day location in Karan Nagar by Bakshi Ghulam Mohammed, Prime Minister of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, in 1961.

Expansion of District Hospitals

Under Dr. Krishan Lal Gupta, district hospitals were established at:

• Kathua
• Udhampur
• Doda
• Rajouri
• Poonch

New districts formed in 2006 led to upgraded hospitals at Samba, Reasi, Kishtwar, and Ramban.

Mental Health and Pediatric Care

• Jammu Mental Hospital, initially a prison asylum, became a Psychiatry Hospital in 1964 and later shifted to Reshamghar Colony in 2015.
• The Fever Hospital at Rehari evolved into a children’s hospital but tragically collapsed in 1988.

Rise of Modern Medical Institutions

Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu

• Started in 1973 with SMGS as its teaching hospital.
• Expanded with a dedicated GMC Hospital in 1993.
• Super Specialty Hospital opened in 2013.
• Maternity Hospital Gandhi Nagar launched in 2020.
• State Cancer Institute and Bone & Joint Hospital opened in 2023.

Dental and Ayurvedic Colleges

• The Dental Department shifted from SMGS to a dedicated hospital under IGGDC Jammu in 2004.
• The Government Ayurvedic College, founded in 1962, continues through the new Ayurvedic Medical College established in Akhnoor in 2021.

Private Medical Sector and New Healthcare Milestones

Private Medical Institutions

• ASCOMS (1994) became Jammu’s first private medical college.
• Institute of Dental Sciences, Sehora (2006) expanded private dental education.

Trauma Centres and New Medical Colleges

Two Trauma Centres were constructed along the National Highway at Udhampur (Level II) and Ramban (Level III).

In 2014, the Government of India approved medical colleges for:

• Kathua
• Rajouri
• Doda

Udhampur’s hospital was upgraded to a medical college in 2022. Today, Jammu hosts six district hospitals and five government medical colleges.

Introduction of North India’s First Homeopathic College

In 2024, Kathua was selected for North India’s first Homeopathic College—a major milestone in alternative medicine education.

The most recent addition to Jammu’s healthcare infrastructure is AIIMS Jammu, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 20, 2024. This premier institution brings world-class medical facilities, research labs, and specialty services to the region, marking a new chapter in advanced healthcare.

The journey of healthcare in Jammu & Kashmir reflects resilience, evolution, and continuous progress. From ancient Ayurvedic practices and community healers to modern super-specialty hospitals and AIIMS-level infrastructure, the region has developed one of North India’s most diverse and expansive medical ecosystems.
The legacy of the Maharajas, contributions of medical pioneers, and continuous government initiatives continue to shape a healthier, stronger Jammu & Kashmir.