A stark disparity in staffing – AIIMS Awantipora (94) compared to AIIMS Jammu (183) – threatens the hospital’s future efficiency and accessibility for Kashmir’s eight million residents. However, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s visit has sparked hope amid challenges.
By Faizaan Bashir
It’s a welcome step that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accompanied by Health Minister Sakeena Itoo, visited AIIMS Awantipora on September 8, 2025. With the finalisation of the project expected by the end of next year, and OPD and IPD services to be operational this year and next, they have brought relief to the population of Kashmir, particularly in south Kashmir.
The AIIMS Awantipora project has been delayed multiple times 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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year and is already functional. The labour and commitment behind its timely completion deserve commendation.
During the visit, CM Abdullah said 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 of both 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 September 05, 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 a heavy influx of patients, 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, leading to frustration for both patients and medical staff.
Moreover, while Jammu has relatively warmer weather and better access to advanced hospitals in the rest of India, the freezing winters and snow-covered roads of Kashmir make it harder for residents, especially those from Srinagar, to reach AIIMS Awantipora. This situation would be 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 any shortcomings due to fewer faculty members.
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