Kashmir Impulse Desk
New Delhi, April 18
Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare system requires a major overhaul, including a comprehensive audit of infrastructure and manpower, to address gaps in service delivery, a former senior official said.
Former IAS officer Khurshid Ahmed Ganai said a detailed assessment of health facilities and staffing levels was essential to identify deficiencies and align services with population needs.
“A gap analysis would help create a realistic approach to addressing recruitment and infrastructure challenges,” Ganai said, speaking on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi.
He called for an evaluation of healthcare infrastructure and equipment in line with Indian Public Health Standards to better understand shortages and support data-driven budget planning.
Ganai said rural and peripheral areas remain underserved, with shortages of medical personnel affecting access to care, while urban centres such as Jammu and Srinagar are relatively better equipped.
He suggested that directorates of health services focus primarily on rural and remote regions, while medical colleges and associated institutions cater to urban populations.
The former official also highlighted the need to align administrative units such as community development blocks with medical service areas to improve planning and resource allocation.
Encouraging private sector participation, Ganai said public-private partnerships could help expand healthcare access in underserved areas, but stressed the need for regulatory oversight to ensure standards and ethical practices.
He said that a phased approach to upgrading facilities based on identified gaps would help improve healthcare delivery across the region.
