The healthcare system in the Kashmir Valley is facing a serious and growing challenge — the overwhelming patient load on tertiary care institutions such as SKIMS Soura and the Super Specialty Hospital at Shireen Bagh. These premier hospitals, meant to cater to critical and super-specialty cases, are being swamped by referrals from peripheral hospitals across the valley. As a result, patients who genuinely need advanced care often find themselves waiting in long queues, while those with manageable ailments occupy limited beds and resources.
This troubling trend stems primarily from the inadequate infrastructure and staffing at district and sub-district hospitals. Many peripheral health institutions are ill-equipped to handle even basic medical emergencies. Essential diagnostic facilities, surgical capabilities, ICU support, and specialist doctors are either missing or grossly insufficient. Consequently, patients suffering from conditions that should be treated locally are sent to Srinagar, leading to avoidable congestion and stress in tertiary care centers.
It is high time the government of Jammu and Kashmir takes a serious and long-term view of this issue. Peripheral hospitals must be augmented with modern infrastructure, qualified human resources, and fully functional diagnostic and therapeutic units. District hospitals should be capable of performing surgeries, managing critical cases, and providing maternal and child care with confidence. Sub-district hospitals and community health centres, too, must be revitalized to become reliable first-line care facilities.
In addition to infrastructure, accountability must be ensured. Many referrals happen not out of necessity, but due to absence of staff or hesitation to take responsibility at lower levels. A strong monitoring system and medical audit framework must be put in place to rationalize referrals and encourage capacity-building at the grassroots.
Upgrading peripheral hospitals is not just a matter of medical convenience; it is a step towards equitable healthcare. When a villager from Kupwara or Anantnag is forced to travel to Srinagar for a minor ailment, it causes both emotional and economic hardship to the family. By empowering local hospitals, we not only reduce unnecessary referrals but also make healthcare accessible, affordable and efficient.
The government has already shown its intent to improve healthcare through flagship schemes and investments. What is now needed is targeted action and political will to decentralize healthcare delivery. Let SKIMS and Shireen Bagh be reserved for those who truly need specialized care, and let the rest of the valley stand strong with dependable, responsive medical institutions.
A healthier Kashmir demands a stronger foundation — and that foundation lies in the peripheries.
