Govt says committed to improving healthcare services in Poonch Haveli

Srinagar, Mar 21: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Wednesday said that it is committed to improving healthcare services in Poonch Haveli Constituency through infrastructure development, medical equipment upgrades, and expanded access to healthcare facilities.
In a written reply to a question by MLA Ajaz Ahmad Jan in the Legislative Assembly, the government said it had outlined various steps to enhance healthcare services in the region.
“Under the PM-ABHIM scheme, a Critical Care Block (CCB) is currently under construction at District Hospital Poonch at an estimated cost of Rs 23.75 crore. A DIPHL Lab is also being set up at the hospital, and Block Public Health Units are under development at PHC Loran, PHC Chandak, and PHC Bandchechian,” it said, adding that under the National Health Mission, the construction of Sub-Centre Kanuyian has been completed.
Under the District Capex budget, 10 healthcare projects are under execution, of which six have been physically completed, the government said, adding, “Two more projects are underway under the UT Capex budget, with one already completed and the other nearing completion. The PMAAGY scheme has also contributed to the construction of a new NTPHC building at Galipindi.”
To enhance patient referral transport services, the government said it has provided 25 Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulances to health institutions in the constituency. Currently, 61 health institutions at different levels are operational in Poonch Haveli.
Regarding future upgrades and expansions, the government said no new projects are planned at present due to financial austerity measures imposed by the Finance Department under Government Order No. 10-F of 2025, dated January 11, 2025. However, once these restrictions are lifted, critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure will be assessed, and new projects may be considered.
Jammu and Kashmir has around 4,000 healthcare facilities across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, making it one of the leading Union Territories in healthcare institution density, it said.
For the financial year 2024-25, Rs 59.52 lakh has been allocated for 14 healthcare projects under various schemes, including UT Capex, District Capex, and PMAAGY, for the construction, repair, and renovation of health institutions in the constituency. Additionally, 719 medical equipment units have been installed, including one CT Scan, three Anesthesia Units, 17 Ventilators, six Dialysis Machines, eight X-ray plants, three USG Machines, and four Dental Units.
To improve healthcare accessibility in remote areas, the government said it has strengthened telemedicine services through e-Sanjeevani, providing virtual consultations and doorstep medical services. Efforts are also being made to ensure eligible individuals in Poonch Haveli are covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, granting them access to healthcare benefits through the issuance of Golden Cards.
The government assured that any pending issues related to healthcare services in Poonch Haveli would be addressed in line with existing policies and subject to resource availability.