Srinagar, July 11: Chief Secretary, Atal Dullu, presided over a high-level meeting to make a comprehensive review of the progress and achievements made under the National Health Mission (NHM) in UT today.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department; Mission Director, NHM; Principal of government medical colleges; Director Health Service, Kashmir/Jammu; Managing Director, JKMSCL and other related officers.
Underlining the importance of the availability of uninterrupted drugs in all health institutions, the Chief Secretary directed to submit a integrated weekly report on the status of necessary medicines from each district.
He directed that the deputy commissioners, directors of health services and the planning section in their office are given real -time access to this data, wherever the deficiency is observed, accelerated intervention is enabled.
Reviewing the biomedical equipment management and maintenance program (BEMP), the Chief Secretary asked the concerned departments to complete the equipment profile exercise by August, as already directed. He said that maintaining functional equipment is central towards improving the patient’s results and reducing service disruptions.
Dulu expressed concern over vacancies in DNB (Diplomate of National Board) seats in major hospitals of UT. He directed to take measures to fill these seats, which involves providing opportunity to in-service medical authorities, where external candidates are unavailable.
The Chief Secretary, directing the nation department to cover every school and Anganwadi center in Jammu and Kashmir, directed the nation department and focused special focus on the Department of Nation. He emphasized the need to screen children for major health indicators, including anemia and other general disorders enabling targeted medical intervention in the initial stage.
In line with the government’s commitment to equitable health access, Dullu reiterated that no primary health center or sub-centers should be left out without doctors or expected paramedical employees especially in remote and hilly areas. He emphasized the need to fill the vacant posts and deploy employees strategically, so that they could serve the weak population.
Taking stock of the important care infrastructure being developed under the PM-Abhim, the Chief Secretary reviewed the status and deadline of various projects in the districts. He asked the authorities to complete the time limit without compromising on quality.
During the meeting, the functioning of major NHM programs such as e-life (tele-consultation), tele-mans (mental health counsel), tele-ICUS and free ambulance services was also reviewed.
The Chief Secretary expressed satisfaction over the reach of these initiatives, but emphasized extensive public awareness and operational efficiency to ensure that they should benefit every needy citizen.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the TB eradication and non-communicable diseases (NCD) prevention programs being run under NHM, urging acute screening, follow-up and outreach operations in particularly high-risk population.
Secretary, H&ME, Dr. Syed Abid Rashid Shah informed the meeting that unlike NHM, Jammu and Kashmir, the five installments were received in order for the maintenance of the infrastructure in a total of Rs 806.93 crore central share and Rs 195.08 crore in order for the maintenance of the infrastructure: Rs 601.54 crore and Rs150.20 crore for the maintenance of the infrastructure.
He said that J&K has received 99% institutional delivery in 2024-25 and infant mortality (IMR) has declined significantly from 16 to 14 according to SRS 2022 bulletin, which is better than 1000 living births, the national average of 26 per 1000 per 1000 living births. According to HMIS data 2024-25, IMR is recorded as 9.35 per 1000 live births, repeating.
Giving an account of achievements, MD NHM Besar-ul-Haq Chaudhary said that 86% of Ayushman Arogya Temple (AAM) are in operation in J&K.
Additionally, he informed the meeting that the number of free drugs was increased from 23 to 96 in SHC-AAMS and 71 to 175 during the financial year 2024-25 in PHC-AAMS. Free clinical services have also been expanded, resulting in 242.75 lakh OPD evaluation on these health facilities since 2023.
In addition, it was discovered that the teams of Rashtriya Bal Swasya Karyakarma (RBSK) regularly conduct screening in schools and Anganwadi centers, with 91% of targeted beneficiaries (0–18 years) screening in 2024–25.
In addition, 9.35 lakh patients have received tele-discourse services from FY 2023-24 to June 2025 and more than 103,396 calls have been received by the tele-mans unit installed in IMHANS. It was discovered that 489 ambulances are operational under 102–108 ambulance service. Apart from this, 10,164 (90%) AShas have qualified for NIOS certification, which is the highest in the country.
Regarding the status of the important infrastructure raised under the PM-Abhim, the meeting was informed that 10 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLS) and 287 Block Public Health Units (BPHU), besides 10 Critical Care Blocks, have been raised under this major program.
It was said that HSCC (India) Limited has been allocated projects worth Rs 512.00 crore for execution in UT. Under this program in UT districts, more than 200 works have been awarded in the last few months and 150 works have started.
