Srinagar: In a move to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced that all district hospitals in the Union Territory will be equipped with CT scan facilities in the next financial year. The government has allocated Rs 110 crore for this initiative.
While presenting the JK Budget, Omar emphasised the importance of modernising healthcare facilities, ensuring that advanced diagnostic tools like CT scans are available across the region. “Every district hospital will have CT scan facilities. This will greatly improve diagnostic services, especially in rural and remote areas where access to such medical technology has been limited,” he said.
The initiative aims to reduce the burden on tertiary healthcare institutions and provide timely medical diagnosis at the district level. It is expected to benefit thousands of patients who currently have to travel long distances to avail CT scan services.
The JK Budget included several healthcare and infrastructure-related announcements, such as Rs 86 crore for a 250-bedded maternity and child care hospital in Anantnag, Rs10 crore for six new helipads across the UT, and plans to establish press clubs in Jammu and Kashmir for journalist welfare. Additionally, the budget highlighted economic growth from Rs1,64,103 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 2,45,022 crore in 2023-24. However, challenges such as high AT&C losses in the power sector have led to increased public debt, which has risen to 52% of GSDP.
