SRINAGAR: The Health and Medical Education Department has proposed the construction of a 249-bedded Mother and Child Care Hospital at Janglat Mandi, Anantnag, to expand maternal and child healthcare services in south Kashmir.
Replying to a question in the Assembly, Health Minister Sakeena Itoo said the Paediatric Department has been moved to the ground floor of Block A at MMABM Hospital, Janglat Mandi, while the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department continues to operate from the old Maternal and Child Care Hospital at Sheer Bagh. The OBG Department will be relocated to a site behind Block A once the necessary infrastructure is in place.
Around 4.5 kanals of land have been identified for the hospital. The Public Works (R and B) Department prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) costing Rs 86.15 crore for the construction of the facility. The DPR was submitted to the Finance Department for approval and funding under NABARD RIDE XXXI but was returned with instructions to identify a funding source beyond NABARD and include furniture and fittings in the report.
The PWD division is revising the DPR and recalculating costs. The government has allocated Rs 5 crore in the Capex Budget 2025–26 for initial work and plans to propose the project under the SASCI scheme in 2026–27 to speed up completion.
Once operational, the hospital will provide maternal and child healthcare services to multiple surrounding districts, reducing pressure on existing hospitals and improving access to maternal services.
