Jammu and Kashmir (J-K) has made significant progress in healthcare, with the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) dropping to 9.8 deaths per 1,000 live births, marking a reduction of 13.3 points. Additionally, the sex ratio at birth has improved from 923 to 976, indicating a positive trend in gender balance at birth.
The infant mortality rate (IMR) has also declined to 16.3, showing an improvement of 16.1 points. These findings were presented in the Economic Survey Report for 2024-25, tabled by the Jammu and Kashmir government in the Assembly on March 6.
The report highlights ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare by upgrading medical facilities, increasing technical manpower, and improving medical equipment. Special attention is being given to maternal and child health, controlling communicable and non-communicable diseases, and addressing emerging health challenges.
As a result of these initiatives, J-K has improved its standing in the SDG India Index 2023-24, released by NITI Aayog, with the health sector score rising from 70 to 78, moving the region from the ‘performers’ category to ‘front-runners’ in healthcare development.
The government has also made substantial progress in immunisation and maternal health. The percentage of fully vaccinated children against preventable diseases has risen to 96.5 per cent, and institutional births have increased from 85.6 per cent to 92.4 per cent. Additionally, the average life expectancy in J-K has reached 74.3 years, making it the third highest in India after Kerala and Delhi, compared to the national average of 70 years.
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Access to healthcare services has expanded significantly with the successful implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) - SEHAT scheme. All families in the region are now registered under the scheme, and 86.12 lakh Ayushman Golden Cards have been issued. This initiative has provided free medical treatments worth Rs 2,800 crore, benefiting 15 lakh individuals.
Emergency healthcare services have also improved, with 489 ambulances geo-tagged and integrated into the online 108/102 ambulance service. This has resulted in an average response time of under 30 minutes, benefiting over 4.5 lakh people since August 2020.
The healthcare workforce in J-K has expanded significantly over the past four years. A total of 10,919 doctors and paramedics have been recruited under the National Health Mission (NHM), while 36,274 permanent positions have been filled in the health and medical education sectors. Additionally, 13,965 ASHA workers are actively engaged in community healthcare services.
Infrastructure development has been a key focus, with the establishment of two AIIMS, two state cancer institutes, and two bone and joint hospitals. 3,100 health and wellness centers have been operationalized by upgrading existing public health centers and Ayush dispensaries.
The total hospital bed capacity has increased to 21,966, and medical oxygen generation has expanded nearly nine times, from 14,916 liters per minute (LPM) to 1,27,901 LPM since August 2020, through 177 operational oxygen plants.
Jammu and Kashmir has also seen remarkable growth in medical education with the establishment of new medical colleges. Currently, there are 10 government medical colleges, including nine offering MBBS courses, along with one unani, one ayurvedic, and one homeopathy college. The number of MBBS seats has increased from 500 to 1,300, and over 5,000 seats have been added across MBBS, DNB, post-graduate, and nursing courses since 2019.
These developments reflect Jammu and Kashmir’s commitment to strengthening its healthcare system. With improved hospital infrastructure, increased immunization coverage, enhanced medical education, and reduced child mortality rates, the region is making significant strides toward a healthier and more developed future.
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