SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir government has clarified that there is currently no proposal under consideration to upgrade the Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Uri to a full-fledged District Hospital, despite concerns over the region’s challenging terrain and healthcare demands.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Sajad Shafi, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakeena Itoo informed the House that no such plan is presently being examined by the department.
The legislator had sought to know whether the government intends to elevate SDH Uri, given the difficult and hilly geography of the Uri constituency, which comprises around 143 villages with a widely scattered population. He highlighted the heavy patient load from Uri being referred to Government Medical College (GMC)-associated hospital in Baramulla.
In response, the minister said the government has adopted a “reasoned stand” to focus on strengthening and consolidating existing healthcare infrastructure across the Union Territory rather than creating new facilities at this stage.
She said that over 4,000 health institutions are currently operational in Jammu and Kashmir, and the priority is to enhance their functioning by improving availability of human resources, modern equipment, and service delivery mechanisms.
The minister further highlighted the role of digital healthcare initiatives in bridging gaps, saying that services such as tele-medicine, tele-radiology, and mobile medical units are being leveraged to improve access to healthcare, particularly in remote and underserved areas like Uri.
“Once a formal decision is taken by the government regarding the creation of new health facilities—following the withdrawal of austerity measures by the Finance Department—new institutions based on gap analysis will be considered for all districts, including Baramulla,” she added. (KNO)
