SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has nearly one health institution for every 3,500 people, compared to the national average of one for every 6,000, the government has informed the Legislative Assembly.
In a written reply to a question in the Assembly, the Health and Medical Education Department said nearly 4,000 health institutions are currently functioning across Jammu and Kashmir at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
The department, however, said there is presently no proposal to open new health facilities or upgrade certain existing ones, including the Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) at Batamaloo and the Sub Health Centre (SHC) at Lawaypora.
According to the reply, the proposed upgradation of the Batamaloo facility to Urban Government Health Centre (UGHC) level and the Lawaypora SHC to UPHC level is not under consideration.
The government attributed the position to austerity measures imposed by the Finance Department, citing Government Order No. 198-F of 2026 dated May 22, 2026, which provides that no new posts shall be created.
The department said the focus is instead on consolidating and strengthening the existing healthcare network and improving the utilisation of available resources.
On the demand for upgrading the Lawaypora health facility, the department said several major healthcare institutions, including JVC SKIMS, SKIMS Medical College Bemina and Government Medical College Srinagar, are located in the vicinity and provide comprehensive medical services.
It also pointed out that several private hospitals empanelled under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) are operating in the area and providing cashless treatment to eligible beneficiaries.
Recruitment underway to address staff shortages
On manpower shortages in Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres, the department said recruitment is underway to fill vacancies and improve healthcare delivery, particularly in peripheral and underserved areas.
The government said it has received the selection list of 416 Medical Officers, of whom 335 have already been issued appointment orders. The remaining appointments are expected to be processed shortly.
The department said priority would be given to peripheral, far-flung and underserved health institutions facing acute shortages of medical staff, subject to the availability of sanctioned posts and administrative requirements.
It further said 1,567 non-gazetted posts have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for recruitment.
“On completion of the selection process, the selected staff shall be deployed, inter alia, to underserved areas and institutions with manpower deficiencies,” the department said.
Posts falling under the gazetted category have also been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), with vacancies to be filled after recommendations are received from the commission.
The department said existing healthcare institutions would continue to be strengthened in accordance with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS)-2022.
It also said resources would be rationalised to ensure equitable distribution and optimal utilisation, while e-Sanjeevani and telemedicine services would be expanded through a hub-and-spoke model.
No Medical Officer currently on deputation
On the issue of deputation of Medical Officers, the department said no Medical Officer is currently on deputation or attachment to any other hospital or to the office of the Divisional Commissioner.
It said Medical Officer Sajad Rouf had been deputed to the Divisional Commissioner’s Office in November 2025 in connection with winter-related operations and the establishment of a 24×7 divisional-level control room at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC).
The officer has since returned to his original place of posting, the department said.
“In view of there being no deputation/attachment of Medical Officers at present, the question of repatriation does not arise,” it added.
