J&K Has a Health Institution for every 3,500 people, says Govt Data
Jammu, Feb 3: The Jammu and Kashmir administration highlighted the Union Territory’s robust health infrastructure in a significant revelation before the legislative assembly on Tuesday, showcasing a density that surpasses the national average.
In a written reply to a query by legislator Mir Saifullah during the ongoing budget session, the administration stated that Jammu and Kashmir has one health institution for approximately every 3,500 people. This performance is markedly better than the national average of one institution for every 6,000 people, as per a 2023 report by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Outlining its current policy focus, the administration emphasized the “consolidation of existing health facilities.” It was informed that nearly 4,000 health institutes are already operational across various levels in the UT.
Significantly, the reply noted that, according to Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022 norms, districts in Jammu and Kashmir often have more Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) than the admissible number based on population. Given this existing surplus and the focus on consolidation, the establishment of new health institutions or their upgradation is not under active consideration at present.
To further enhance public healthcare delivery and address critical gaps, the government detailed a plan centered on leveraging technology and manpower. The strategy includes augmenting manpower, extending the Digital Registration Process (DRP), and a major push for digital health initiatives like e-Sanjeevani, tele-medicine, and tele-radiology. Furthermore, the deployment of Mobile Medical Units for hard-to-reach areas is being actively considered to ensure last-mile connectivity in healthcare services. (KNS)
