Dept prioritises upgrading facilities to meet IPHS-2022 norms: Health Minister

Farzana Syed
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20 Feb 2026

Srinagar, Feb 19: Health Minister Sakeena Itoo on Thursday underscored the department's concerted efforts to bolster and consolidate existing healthcare infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, in alignment with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022 guidelines. Addressing a question raised by Legislator Altaf Ahmad Wani in the Legislative Assembly , the Minister delineated the population-based criteria for establishing District Hospitals and Sub District Hospitals, stating that districts with a population below 5 lakh require a functional District Hospital, whereas those with 5-10 lakh population can accommodate one Sub District Hospital, with additional SDHs considered for every 10 lakh population. The Minister further highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir's districts already possess more SDHs than permissible under IPHS norms, showcasing the existing robust healthcare framework. Furthermore, she apprised the House of the department's sanction for upgrading NTPHC Pahalgam to a 50-bedded hospital, entailing the creation of 26 posts across various categories, of which 17 positions, including doctors and paramedics, have been filled, encompassing 3 Consultants, 1 Medical Officer, and 1 Dental Surgeon. The Minister assured that concerted efforts are underway to expedite the filling of vacant positions through recruitment agencies and facilitate timely promotions. In preparation for the annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Health Minister emphasised that healthcare services would be significantly augmented with additional medical personnel, state-of-the-art equipment, and enhanced ambulance services at key healthcare institutions, including PHC Mattan, SDH Seer Hamdan, PHC Aishmuqam, and the 50-bedded Hospital Pahalgam. The ongoing construction of the 50-bed block at Pahalgam Hospital is progressing steadily, with Rs 1100 lakh already expended out of the Rs 1889.90 lakh allocated, and Rs 340 lakh released from the current financial year's budget of Rs 400 lakh. Additional funding approved under SASCI is poised to accelerate the construction pace. Responding to queries regarding the establishment of a Trauma Hospital between Qazigund and Pahalgam, the Minister stated that such an initiative would necessitate specialised manpower, advanced equipment, and substantial resources, and is currently not under consideration. Instead, existing Trauma Care facilities, including Trauma Hospital Qazigund and Trauma Centre at Government Medical College Anantnag, are poised to address emergency medical requirements. Furthermore, health camps are slated to provide medical support to pilgrims during the Yatra, with designated healthcare institutions operating round-the-clock. She further revealed that PHC Aishmuqam has already been made operational on 24x7 basis to cater to the medical needs of devotees visiting Ziyarat of Sakhie Zain-U-Din Wali (RA) Aishmuqam.