SRINAGAR: The Union Government has ruled out the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in North Kashmir, confirming that no such proposal exists in the current phase of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)
This was clarified by Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, in response to a query raised by Member of Parliament Abdul Rashid Sheikh in the Lok Sabha.
Sheikh had inquired whether the government was considering setting up an AIIMS in North Kashmir, particularly due to the region’s predominantly border areas and limited access to specialised healthcare. In response, Jadhav stated that under PMSSY, two AIIMS have already been approved for Jammu & Kashmir — one in Vijaypur, Jammu, and another in Awantipora, Kashmir. He confirmed that no additional AIIMS is planned for North Kashmir at this stage.
The minister further revealed that the Union Government has allocated a total of Rs 3,532 crore to J&K’s health sector over the last three years through various central schemes, including the National Health Mission (NHM), PMSSY, and Ayushman Bharat.
AIIMS Vijaypur received Rs 1,318.06 crore between 2021 and 2025, while AIIMS Awantipora was allocated Rs 1,008.17 crore during the same period.
From 2021 to 2024, Jammu & Kashmir received Rs 3,532 crore in central health sector funding. This includes Rs 1,915.84 crore under NHM for healthcare services, Rs 2,326.23 crore for AIIMS projects in Vijaypur and Awantipora, Rs 202.96 crore under Ayushman Bharat for health insurance, and Rs 18.47 crore for upgrading medical colleges.
The government has also approved the establishment of seven new medical colleges in Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, Udhampur, and Handwara. Additionally, 196 PG seats and 60 MBBS seats have been sanctioned under central schemes to strengthen medical education in the Union Territory.
Responding to concerns regarding staff shortages and inadequate medical equipment in J&K hospitals, Jadhav noted that funds under NHM are being utilised to improve medical infrastructure, procure advanced equipment, and address staffing gaps in both medical and paramedical roles. He added that district and referral hospitals are undergoing upgrades to enhance healthcare access in underserved areas. (KNO)