SRINAGAR: Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly that the department is prioritising consolidation and strengthening of existing healthcare facilities across Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with IPHS-2022 norms to improve service delivery.
Replying to a question raised by Altaf Ahmad Wani, the Minister said the planning of health institutions is being aligned with population-based norms under IPHS-2022. She stated that districts with a population of less than five lakh and a functional District Hospital do not require a Sub-District Hospital, while districts with populations between five and ten lakh may have one SDH, and thereafter one SDH can be considered for every ten lakh population. She added that a district with up to twenty lakh population can have one District Hospital and two SDHs, whereas each district in Jammu and Kashmir currently has more SDHs than admissible under the norms.
The Minister informed the House that the department has sanctioned the upgradation of NTPHC Pahalgam to a 50-bedded hospital with the creation of 26 posts. Of the sanctioned strength of 38 posts, 17 positions for doctors and paramedics have been filled, including three consultants, one medical officer and one dental surgeon. She added that recruitment to remaining vacancies is under process through the recruiting agency, alongside promotions.
She said construction of the 50-bedded block at Pahalgam Hospital is progressing steadily. An additional hospital block is under construction at a cost of Rs 1,889.90 lakh, against which Rs 1,100 lakh has been spent. During 2025–26, Rs 340 lakh has been released to the executing agency out of an approved allocation of Rs 400 lakh, with additional funding sanctioned under SASCI to expedite work. The Minister said truss work has been completed, finishing works are underway and equipment will be provided in phases as per requirements.
On trauma care infrastructure, the Minister said there is no proposal to establish a trauma hospital between Qazigund and Pahalgam, citing the requirement of specialised manpower, advanced equipment and modular operation theatres. She said trauma services are available at Trauma Hospital Qazigund and the Trauma Centre at Government Medical College Anantnag, while Trauma Hospital Bijbehara, located about four kilometres from the Khanabal–Pahalgam–Qazigund road, also caters to emergencies.
The Minister further informed the House that health infrastructure and manpower are augmented annually during the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra. Health camps are established and services strengthened at institutions including PHC Mattan, SDH Seer Hamdan, PHC Aishmuqam and the 50-bedded Hospital Pahalgam. PHC Aishmuqam has already been made operational round the clock to serve pilgrims visiting the shrine of Sakhie Zain-U-Din Wali (RA).
She reiterated that the department’s approach remains focused on strengthening existing institutions to enhance healthcare access across the Union Territory.
