Unequal healthcare? AIIMS in Jammu gets 183 faculty, Kashmir only 94

September 23, 2025 by News Desk

Representational Image

Faizan Bashir

It’s a welcome step that the Honorable Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, accompanied by Health Minister Sakina Itoo, visited AIIMS Awantipora on 8th September 2025. With the finalization of the project expected by the end of next year, and OPD and IPD services set to become functional this year and next, their visit has brought relief to the people of Kashmir, particularly South Kashmir.

The AIIMS Awantipora project has faced multiple delays before this announcement. It is set to be a major milestone in Kashmir’s healthcare sector, offering advanced treatment options with qualified doctors and staff. However, it remains to be seen whether the hospital will be operational by next year as promised.

Awantipora’s counterpart, AIIMS Jammu, was inaugurated by the Honorable Prime Minister last year and is already functional. The labor and commitment behind its timely completion deserve commendation.

Omar Abdullah has stated that AIIMS Kashmir was chosen for Awantipora on “political grounds,” but hope has arrived. People are now optimistic about this development.

However, a key issue remains: a glaring disparity in the faculty between the two AIIMS, with Jammu faring better than Awantipora. This discrepancy could affect the hospital’s smooth functioning.

A vacancy notice for faculty positions at AIIMS Jammu, issued on 14th February 2022, included 183 slots for professors (33), additional professors (26), associate professors (39), and assistant professors (85).

In contrast, AIIMS Kashmir, according to a notice on 5th September 2023, has only 94 slots for professors (2), additional professors (2), associate professors (5), and assistant professors (85).

This nearly 50% gap requires immediate attention. Inadequate faculty will lead to overcrowded patient areas, especially with Kashmir’s population of nearly eight million. It will also result in doctor burnout, an imbalanced doctor-patient ratio, and decreased efficiency in the hospital’s operations. If not addressed, it could become another overstretched SKIMS, causing frustration for both patients and medical staff.

Moreover, while Jammu enjoys relatively warmer weather and better access to advanced hospitals elsewhere in India, the freezing winters and snow-covered roads of Kashmir make it harder for residents, especially those from Kupwara, to reach AIIMS Awantipora.

This situation is particularly challenging for the economically disadvantaged, who cannot afford to seek treatment outside the state.

It’s encouraging that the central government has granted both regions separate AIIMS. The establishment of AIIMS Awantipora is commendable and is expected to be fully functional within the next year.

The project has the potential to become the best hospital in Kashmir, provided that no patient faces shortcomings due to the shortage of faculty members.