SRINAGAR, Oct 12: In a startling revelation, a Right to Information (RTI) query has uncovered that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has not received any central funding under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) for the ongoing financial year 2025–26. The disclosure has triggered concern among health experts, policymakers, and the general public, especially given the mission’s crucial role in improving healthcare access for the economically weaker sections of society.
The information came to light through an RTI application filed by noted transparency activist MM Shuja, who obtained official data from the concerned authorities. According to the figures shared, Jammu and Kashmir had received ₹16.11 crore in 2021–22, followed by ₹1 crore in 2022–23, ₹44.01 crore in 2023–24, and ₹60.44 crore in 2024–25 under the centrally sponsored scheme. However, no central funds have been released so far for 2025–26, marking the first such instance since the scheme’s inception.
The Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, launched in October 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to strengthen public health infrastructure at the district and block levels. It focuses on developing critical care units, disease surveillance systems, laboratory networks, and digital health infrastructure across India, with a special focus on rural and remote regions.
Experts Raise Alarms Over Funding Gap
Health experts and officials in Jammu and Kashmir have expressed serious concern over the absence of central allocation this year. They warn that the funding gap could slow down ongoing healthcare projects, delay upgradation of district hospitals, and affect training programs for medical staff in far-flung areas.
“This scheme has been a lifeline for thousands of underprivileged patients across Jammu and Kashmir who depend on government facilities for specialised treatments,” said a senior health official, requesting anonymity. “Without continued funding, projects such as critical care blocks and diagnostic laboratories could face delays, which in turn will impact poor patients the most.”
Public health expert Dr. Shabir Ahmad also voiced his concern, saying, “Health is not an expenditure but an investment in human capital. Stopping or delaying funds for Ayushman Bharat could reverse years of progress made in healthcare delivery, especially in rural and tribal areas.”
Impact on Patients and Rural Health Facilities
Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, thousands of patients across Jammu and Kashmir have received free or subsidised treatment for serious ailments, including cardiac, renal, and cancer-related conditions. Many rural health centres had started showing significant improvements in service delivery, with new equipment and better-trained staff.
A sudden pause in fund flow, officials warn, might not only stall infrastructure projects but also reduce the availability of advanced care in government hospitals, forcing patients to travel long distances or rely on private facilities.
Hope for Future Allocations
Officials within the Health and Medical Education Department expressed hope that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will soon review the situation and release pending funds in the upcoming quarter. “We are confident that the matter will be resolved soon. The Centre has always supported healthcare reforms in Jammu and Kashmir, and we expect the same commitment to continue,” an official said.
The issue also highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the disbursement and utilisation of health funds. Experts have urged the government to ensure that state and central coordination mechanisms function seamlessly to prevent interruptions in essential services.
As the Union Territory continues to battle challenges of healthcare accessibility in remote and mountainous regions, consistent funding under flagship missions like Ayushman Bharat remains critical to achieving the goal of ‘Health for All’ envisioned in the National Health Policy.
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Tags: Ayushman Bharat, Jammu and Kashmir Health, PM-ABHIM, RTI, Healthcare Funding, MM Shuja, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Public Health