The landscape of healthcare in J&K is undergoing a profound transformation. What was once a region with underserved medical facilities is now witnessing an unprecedented wave of development, thanks to dedicated efforts from the central government. From new constructions to significant upgrades, the focus is clearly on making quality healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone. This revitalisation is not just about buildings and equipment; it’s about a fundamental shift towards a healthier, more integrated future for the people of J&K and Ladakh.
On July 11, 2025, a monumental step forward was taken for the health infrastructure in J&K. Projects totaling an astounding Rs512 crore were proudly allocated to HSCC (India) Ltd under the National Health Mission (NHM). With over 200 works awarded and 150 already underway across various districts of the Union Territory, this marks a significant acceleration in bringing robust healthcare to the region.
This latest surge in development is a testament to the Modi government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of J&K and Ladakh. Since 2014, the union government has relentlessly driven progress, focusing on both new constructions and vital upgrades to existing medical facilities. This dedicated effort stands in stark contrast to previous eras, where the region’s infrastructure often languished.
The transformation is being powered by key healthcare initiatives designed to make quality medical care accessible and affordable for every citizen:
National Health Mission (NHM): This flagship programme continues to be the backbone, ensuring healthcare reaches every corner, prioritising the common man’s well-being.
Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM): A visionary initiative strengthening the very foundations of health infrastructure, building a resilient healthcare system for the future.
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): A revolutionary scheme providing crucial financial protection for medical treatment, liberating countless families from the burden of healthcare costs.
These bold initiatives collectively represent a resurgent India’s resolve to integrate Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh fully into the national mainstream, not just politically, but in terms of tangible development and public welfare. The focus on comprehensive health infrastructure is a clear message: the well-being of every Indian, regardless of location, is paramount. This isn’t just about building hospitals; it’s about building a healthier, stronger, and more integrated Jammu & Kashmir.
This report spotlights nine significant health infrastructure advancements across Jammu and Kashmir between 2014 and 2025. These developments underscore a dedicated effort to expand and upgrade medical facilities throughout the region.
Universal dialysis access across J&K
As of May 31, 2025, a significant milestone has been achieved in Jammu & Kashmir with all 20 districts now boasting operational dialysis centers under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme (PMNDP). A total of 21 functional centers, equipped with 127 dialysis machines, are providing crucial patient care across the region. This impressive infrastructure includes 62 machines directly supplied by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, alongside 40 machines funded by the World Bank, and an additional 22 procured through the National Health Mission. This widespread accessibility marks a major leap forward in addressing the critical healthcare needs of the population.
Explosive growth in medical colleges: From 4 to 12 in a decade
J&K has witnessed a remarkable transformation in its medical education landscape. On March 22, 2025, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare proudly announced the establishment of three new government medical colleges in Udhampur, Handwara (Kupwara district), and Leh (Ladakh). Additionally, ten new nursing colleges have been set up under centrally sponsored schemes, further bolstering healthcare education and training in the region.
This recent expansion builds upon earlier phases of the scheme, which saw the establishment of five medical colleges in Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri, Doda, and Kathua. Consequently, the number of government medical colleges in J&K has surged from just four in 2014 to a remarkable twelve today, representing a threefold increase in just over a decade. Beyond infrastructure, the government has also approved 196 PG seats and 60 MBBS seats for various medical institutions, significantly enhancing medical education and career opportunities for local youth.
Ayushman Arogya Mandirs: Bringing healthcare to every corner
In a monumental stride towards decentralised primary healthcare, the Ayushman Arogya Mandir (AAM) initiative, launched under the Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) scheme, is revolutionizing grassroots medical access. These upgraded Sub Health Centres (SHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are delivering Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) right where it’s needed most.
As of July 29, 2024, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare proudly reports that J&K boasts an astonishing 3,104 operational AAMs, while Ladakh has 321. This incredible network ensures frontline health access even in the most remote regions, a stark contrast to earlier figures from December 2024, which highlighted just 523 functional centers in J&K. This rapid expansion underscores the government’s determination to reach every rural community, ensuring no one is left behind.
Strengthening health infrastructure across Kashmir with NHM projects
On February 24, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again demonstrated his commitment to J&K’s health security by virtually laying the foundation for 8 Critical Care Blocks across the region. These vital facilities will enhance hospitals and public health centers in key areas like Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara, Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama, under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission and COVID-19 Emergency Response Package.
These 8 blocks are part of a larger, ambitious plan that includes 10 Critical Care Blocks, 20 Integrated Public Health Labs, and 287 Block Public Health Units, all being established under the National Health Mission with a massive allocation of Rs512 crore. With over 150 projects already underway as of July 2025, this comprehensive effort clearly spans both the Jammu and Kashmir divisions, ensuring equitable access to advanced medical care.
AIIMS Vijaypur: Jammu emerges as a healthcare hub
A beacon of medical excellence, AIIMS Vijaypur in Jammu was proudly inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 20, 2024. This monumental institution is set to revolutionise healthcare and medical education in the region. Spanning an impressive 227 acres, AIIMS Vijaypur saw 95% of its civil work completed by May 2023 and is already fully functional, offering MBBS and PG courses, robust OPD services, and core hospital infrastructure.
As a cornerstone of the central government’s PMSSY initiative, AIIMS Vijaypur is rapidly expanding into a 750-bed super-specialty hospital by mid-2025. This will significantly enhance tertiary care in previously underserved regions, ensuring that the people of Jammu and surrounding areas have access to the highest standards of medical treatment, without needing to travel far. This facility stands as a testament to the government’s vision for a healthier and stronger India.
State Cancer Institutes: Bringing advanced cancer care to J&K
On February 4, 2024, World Cancer Day marked a pivotal moment for healthcare in Jammu as the State Cancer Institute (SCI) at Government Medical College, Jammu, officially launched its OPD services. This 100-bed facility, approved with a substantial Rs120 crore budget during 2014-15, signifies the official commencement of comprehensive cancer care services in the region.
This development follows the earlier success of the State Cancer Institute at SKIMS, Soura (Srinagar), which also received sanction in 2014-15 and became fully functional in 2019. This institute now provides comprehensive oncology services, including radiotherapy, medical oncology, and crucial daycare for cancer patients, ensuring that advanced care is available within the Union Territory.
Leh’s first CGHS Wellness Centre: A boon for beneficiaries
Leh, Ladakh, saw a significant step towards enhanced healthcare access with the initiation of its first CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) Wellness Centre on June 1, 2023. This crucial development aims to bring quality healthcare closer to central government employees and pensioners in the high-altitude region. By the launch date, 4,215 beneficiaries had already registered, bringing the initiative notably closer to the Ministry’s requirement of 6,000 enrollees for full approval and launch. This reflects a proactive approach to addressing the healthcare needs of government personnel in remote areas.
Strengthening primary healthcare: Over 3,400 health centres operational under NHM
As of March 31, 2021, Jammu and Kashmir had remarkably strengthened its primary healthcare infrastructure under the National Health Mission (NHM). The region boasted an extensive network of 2,470 Sub-Centres, 923 Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and 77 Community Health Centres (CHCs), significantly enhancing grassroots healthcare access.
Further bolstering specialised care, J&K’s maternal and child health facilities included 32 Sick Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), 69 Newborn Stabilization Units (NBSUs), and 282 Newborn Care Corners (NBCCs). To bridge the gap in remote and underserved areas, Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) had been strategically deployed in 10 districts, ensuring healthcare reaches even the most challenging terrains.
AIIMS Awantipora: A future healthcare hub for Kashmir valley
The All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Awantipora in Kashmir, sanctioned in 2019 with an estimated cost of Rs1,828 crore, is rapidly progressing to become a cornerstone of healthcare in the Kashmir Valley. This massive project comprises 57 buildings, including state-of-the-art hospital blocks, academic complexes, hostels, and residential facilities.
Upon its completion, AIIMS Awantipora will feature a formidable 1,000-bed hospital, including 300 super-specialty beds, significantly boosting tertiary care. It will also house a medical college offering 100 MBBS seats and a nursing college with 60 seats, addressing the critical need for medical education and skilled healthcare professionals in the region. As of late 2024, approximately 70–75% of the construction work had been completed, covering major structural components, signaling that this transformative project is well on its way to providing unparalleled healthcare access to the people of Kashmir.
The comprehensive efforts detailed in this report paint a clear picture of a transformed healthcare landscape in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Since 2014, the region has seen an unprecedented surge in medical infrastructure development, driven by a steadfast commitment to universal access and improved quality of life. From ensuring widespread availability of crucial services like dialysis to a remarkable expansion in medical and nursing colleges, and the establishment of advanced cancer care facilities, every initiative underscores a singular vision: to integrate these vital regions fully into the national fabric through robust, accessible, and high-quality healthcare. This systematic and well-funded approach is not merely about building facilities; it’s about empowering citizens with better health outcomes and a stronger future, dismantling decades of neglect and ushering in an era of progress and opportunity. The consistent focus on both primary and tertiary care, reaching from remote areas to major urban centers, unequivocally demonstrates a dedication to the well-being of every individual in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
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