Srinagar, Sep 22 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir has one health institution for approximately every 3,500 people, compared to the national average of one institution for every 6,000 people, placing it among the leading States/UTs in terms of health infrastructure density, the Health and Medical Education Department said on Tuesday.
In a reply to a question in the Assembly, the Health Ministry, according to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said J&K has one health institution for approximately every 3,500 people, compared to the national average of one institution for every 6,000 people.
The Ministry also said there is no proposal under consideration to open or upgrade health facilities, including the proposed upgradation of Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) Batamaloo to Urban Government Health Centre (UGHC) level and Sub Health Centre (SHC) Lawaypora to UPHC level.
It attributed the decision to austerity measures imposed by the Finance Department through Government Order No. 198-F of 2026 dated May 22, 2026, which stipulates that no new posts shall be created.
The department said Jammu and Kashmir is focusing on consolidating and strengthening existing healthcare infrastructure, noting that nearly 4,000 health institutions at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels are functioning across the Union Territory.
Regarding the proposal to upgrade SHC Lawaypora, the department said no such proposal is under consideration. It noted that major tertiary-care institutions, including JVC SKIMS, SKIMS Bemina and Government Medical College Srinagar, are located nearby and provide comprehensive healthcare services.
The department also said several private hospitals empanelled under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) are operational in the area and offer cashless treatment to eligible beneficiaries.
On manpower shortages in Sub-Centres, Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres in the constituency, the department said recruitment is underway to address vacancies and strengthen healthcare delivery, particularly in underserved areas.
It said it has received the selection list of 416 Medical Officers, of whom 335 have already been issued appointment orders. The officers are expected to be posted shortly, with priority to peripheral, far-flung and underserved health institutions facing acute staff shortages, subject to availability of sanctioned posts and administrative requirements.
The department 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," it said.
Posts in the gazetted category have also been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), and vacancies will be filled once recommendations are received from the commission.
The department said existing facilities will continue to be strengthened in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS)-2022 norms. It added that resources would be rationalised for equitable distribution and optimal utilisation, while e-Sanjeevani and telemedicine services would be expanded through a hub-and-spoke model.
On deputation of Medical Officers, the department said no Medical Officer is currently on deputation or attachment to any other hospital or the Divisional Commissioner's Office.
It said Medical Officer Sajad Rouf had been deputed to the Divisional Commissioner's Office in November 2025 for winter-related operations and the establishment of a 24x7 divisional-level control room at the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), but has since rejoined his original place of posting.
“In view of there being no deputation/attachment of Medical Officers at present, the question of repatriation does not arise,” the department added—(KNO)