The Government of India has allocated ₹3,481.03 crore over the past four years to strengthen the healthcare sector in Jammu and Kashmir under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes. However, despite this significant investment, the long-standing demand for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in North Kashmir remains unfulfilled. The Government has clarified that no such proposal is currently under consideration.
Major Healthcare Allocations in J&K
The funds have been disbursed under key healthcare initiatives, including:
- National Health Mission (NHM)
- Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM)
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)
Breakdown of allocations:
- NHM: ₹459.10 crore (2021-22), ₹651.52 crore (2022-23), ₹805.22 crore (2023-24)
- PM-ABHIM: ₹16.11 crore (2021-22), ₹1.00 crore (2022-23), ₹44.01 crore (2023-24)
- AB-PMJAY: ₹75.12 crore (2021-22), ₹85.62 crore (2022-23), ₹42.22 crore (2023-24)
These details were revealed in Lok Sabha by Prataprao Jadhav, Minister of State (MoS) for Health and Family Welfare, in response to a query by Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh (Engineer Rashid).
No AIIMS for North Kashmir, Existing AIIMS Funding
The MoS reaffirmed that two AIIMS have already been sanctioned in Jammu & Kashmir:
- AIIMS Vijaypur (Jammu)
- AIIMS Awantipora (Kashmir)
The Minister cleared that no proposal for another AIIMS in Kashmir is under consideration. He also provided financial details of the existing AIIMS projects:
✅ AIIMS Jammu Funding:
- ₹305.00 crore (2021-22)
- ₹398.45 crore (2022-23)
- ₹402.39 crore (2023-24)
- ₹212.22 crore (2024-25)
✅ AIIMS Awantipora Funding:
- ₹130.00 crore (2021-22)
- ₹290.00 crore (2022-23)
- ₹333.17 crore (2023-24)
- ₹255.00 crore (2024-25)
New Medical Colleges & PG Seat Expansion
The Government has sanctioned seven new Medical Colleges in:
- Anantnag
- Baramulla
- Doda
- Kathua
- Rajouri
- Udhampur
- Handwara
Additionally, under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS):
- 196 new PG seats have been approved in J&K
- 60 new MBBS seats have been allocated in two Medical Colleges
Financial allocations for Medical College upgrades:
- CSS for PG Seats Strengthening: ₹11.47 crore (2021-22), ₹7 crore (2023-24)
- No funds released for upgrading MBBS seats or establishing new Medical Colleges in recent years
Medical Infrastructure, Equipment & Workforce Recruitment
Regarding medical infrastructure, equipment, and staffing, the Ministry clarified that while the primary responsibility lies with the UT Government, the Centre extends financial and technical assistance under NHM to:
- Upgrade healthcare services
- Bridge gaps in medical and paramedical staffing
- Enhance diagnostic and testing facilities
