Sees increase of 800 MBBS, 372 DNB seats
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Mar 9: Despite COVID-19 exposing critical weaknesses in the healthcare infrastructure, J&K is making strides toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.
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The Survey, which details the achievements in the healthcare sector, stated that recent achievements in J&K-particularly the improvement in the SDG India Index-indicate the success of efforts to enhance healthcare accessibility and progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“Despite setbacks, such as those brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed infrastructure weaknesses and connectivity challenges, the J&K Government has demonstrated resilience and determination,” the Survey stated.
The Government has noted that investments in healthcare have increased, and digital platforms are being leveraged to reach broader populations.
According to the Survey, the budget allocation for the health sector in the year 2024-25 is Rs. 8333.45 crore, compared to Rs. 7873.35 crore in 2022-23 and Rs. 8362.28 crore in 2023-24.
The investment in the health sector, as per the survey, accounted for 7.04% of the total budget and 3.14% of the GSDP of the UT in 2024-25.
“This shows that the UT is already complying with the targets set in the National Health Policy, which is 2.5% of GDP.”
During the current fiscal year 2024-25, the budget for the health sector is 7.04% of the total J&K budget.
According to the Survey, J&K has witnessed an increase of 800 MBBS seats, 372 DNB seats, 2,200 B.Sc Nursing seats, and 151 PG seats since 2019.
The Survey stated that HMIS data revealed improving health indicators, which will soon be reinforced by the upcoming NFHS 6 report.
It also notes that over the years, substantial investments have revolutionized healthcare and medical education in the region.
Key initiatives highlighted in the Survey include the establishment of 2 AIIMS, 2 State Cancer Institutes, 2 Bone and Joint Hospitals, and 10 new Government Medical Colleges along with a state-of-the-art Modern Drugs Testing laboratory at Kathua and other major healthcare projects.
The expansion of over 3100 Health and Wellness Centres has significantly improved healthcare accessibility, the Government stated.
The Survey underscored that, over the last five years, J&K has greatly expanded its healthcare workforce, which includes the hiring of 10,919 doctors and paramedical staff under the National Health Mission, along with the filling of approximately 36,274 regular positions in Health & Medical Education.
The Survey also noted that 365 Medical Officers were appointed in 2024. “These doctors have been deployed in various peripheral areas, with the primary objective of strengthening patient care in remote and underserved regions.”
Supported by 13,965 ASHAs, the initiative, as per the survey, also includes increased MBBS and PG seats, DNB programs, nursing, and paramedical roles in new GMCs and health institutions.
According to the Survey, J&K has revolutionized health safety by extending the benefits of the universal health insurance scheme ‘AB-PMJAY’ to 19.02 lakh additional families, up from 6.70 lakh ‘SECC’ families, thereby providing universal health coverage to all residents of the UT.
“J&K leads in the implementation of the ABPMJAY-SEHAT scheme, which has been recognized as a best practice; the DNB program was also recognized as one of the best practices in healthcare for ensuring the availability of trained manpower in rural and far-flung areas,” the Survey noted.
Furthermore, J&K has made strides in medical education with the sanctioning of 394 Diplomate of National Board (DNB) seats, ensuring equitable healthcare service distribution across challenging terrains and remote areas.
The region’s ambulance services have been bolstered with 489 geo-tagged ambulances, including 139 Advanced Life Support (ALS), 64 Basic Life Support (BLS), and 286 regular ambulances, integrated with online 108/102 ambulatory services.
“These efforts have enabled quick response times (with an average response time of less than half an hour) and served more than 4.30 lakh beneficiaries since August 2020,” the report stated.
In tuberculosis (TB) elimination, according to the Survey, J&K received prestigious accolades at the One World TB Summit 2023, including a Bronze Medal for achieving over a 20% reduction in TB incidence compared to 2015.
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