The Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the Legislative Assembly that there is currently no proposal to open or upgrade healthcare facilities at Ratnipora, Nehama, Lethpora and Zantrag in the Pampore constituency.
The Health and Medical Education Department also said there is presently no proposal to revive the Health Department Fund (HDF) engagement mechanism as an interim measure to address shortages of paramedical staff across healthcare institutions in the Union Territory.
The government provided the information in a written reply to a starred Assembly question raised by MLA Hasnain Masoodi regarding healthcare institutions and staffing in Jammu and Kashmir.
Focus on Consolidating Existing Healthcare Facilities
According to the department, no proposal to establish or upgrade healthcare institutions at the four identified locations is currently under consideration.
The government cited austerity measures introduced by the Finance Department through Government Order No. 198-F of 2026 dated May 22, 2026, which include a ban on the creation of new posts.
The department said the Union Territory is currently focusing on consolidating and strengthening existing healthcare facilities, with around 4,000 health institutions already functioning across primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
Citing a 2023 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare report, the government said Jammu and Kashmir has approximately one health institution for every 3,500 people, compared with the national average of one institution for every 6,000 people.
Over 3,000 Staff Vacancies in Kashmir Division
The government also provided division-wise details of vacant posts while responding to concerns over shortages of medical and paramedical personnel.
In the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, 18 of the 22 sanctioned senior consultant posts were vacant. Among 443 sanctioned consultant posts, 152 remained vacant.
Of the 1,750 sanctioned medical officer posts, 1,474 were filled, leaving 276 vacant positions.
The shortage was also reported among paramedical and other staff. Against 9,434 sanctioned positions in these categories, 2,744 were vacant.
Overall, the figures cited in the government reply showed 3,190 vacant medical, paramedical and other staff positions in the Kashmir division across the categories listed.
No Proposal to Revive HDF Engagement Mechanism
On the demand to revive the HDF engagement mechanism to provide temporary relief to understaffed healthcare institutions, the Health and Medical Education Department said no such proposal is currently under consideration.
The department, however, stated that if the issue is taken up in the future, it would be examined on its merits.
Healthcare Strengthening Through IPHS and Telemedicine
Regarding demands for healthcare facility upgrades in Ratnipora, Nehama, Lethpora and Zantrag, the government reiterated that there is currently no proposal to open or upgrade health institutions at these locations.
Instead, the department said it is focusing on strengthening existing healthcare facilities in accordance with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022.
The government also highlighted rationalisation of available resources and expansion of the e-Sanjeevani and telemedicine network through a hub-and-spoke model.
According to the department, these measures are intended to address critical gaps in healthcare delivery while improving access to medical assistance through the existing healthcare infrastructure.
Important Highlights
- J&K government says there is currently no proposal to open or upgrade healthcare facilities at four locations in Pampore.
- The government also has no current proposal to revive the HDF engagement mechanism for addressing paramedical staff shortages.
- Around 4,000 health institutions are functioning across primary, secondary and tertiary levels in the Union Territory.
- Kashmir division has 3,190 vacant medical, paramedical and other staff positions across the categories listed in the Assembly reply.
- The government cited a ban on creation of new posts under austerity measures issued in May 2026.
- J&K plans to strengthen existing facilities through IPHS 2022 standards, resource rationalisation and e-Sanjeevani-based telemedicine services.
