The State Administrative Council (SAC) which met under the chairmanship of Governor, Satya Pal Malik approved the ‘Policy Document’ for setting up of two Medi-Cities in Jammu & Kashmir along with identification/ transfer of land by the Revenue Department for the purpose.J&K Government has been laying emphasis on provision of quality healthcare facilities to the people and expanding the coverage of public health institutional network. There are around 3500 public health institutions spread across Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh regions. Government has been making considerable investment in the creation of health infrastructure and improvement of the quality of public health services. Concerted efforts are also being made to develop the private healthcare sector in J&K to attain universal health coverage goals.With a view to promoting healthcare infrastructure in J&K, Government in the month of March, 2019 approved the ‘State Health Care Investment Policy-2019’. The Policy offers various incentives to the private investors and entrepreneurs to set up health care facilities that aim at improving accessibility of people to quality health services including promotion and establishment of hospitals and medical and allied educational institutions. The Policy also envisages declaration of well defined geographical areas having potential and being conducive for development as Medi-City to promote medical tourism in J&K.
The Policy Document underlines detailed procedure for setting up of the Medi-Cities including the scope and facilities under Medi-Cities, responsibilities of investors/promoters and various operational modalities. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir shall invite private partners to set up Medi- Cities in Jammu and Kashmir divisions. The Government will notify identified geographies in the Jammu and Kashmir divisions for setting up of the Medi-Cities. The private investor would be required to design, finance, construct, equip the Medi-City with necessary medical and non-medical infrastructure and run and maintain the facility. The Government of J&K will support in providing land, financial aid and assistance subject to the ‘State Health Care Investment Policy-2019. The Government will also facilitate fast clearance of project proposals through a web based single window system allowing investors to avail the necessary approvals to establish and start their business operations through a single platform without any physical touch point with the approving/licensing authorities. An Apex Level Project Clearance Committee (ALPCC) will be set up by the Health & Medical Education Department for speedy clearance of the project proposals.The Health and Medical Education Department will be the Nodal department for implementation of the Medi-Cities project.The facilities expected in the Medi- Cities includes Medical Colleges & Hospitals, Super Specialty Centres of Excellence, Nursing, Pharmaceuticals, Hospital Management and Dental Colleges, Ayurvedic Colleges and Hospitals and Medical Education Hubs , AYUSH Centers, Research Centers with residential areas, staff quarters and guest houses etc.With the establishment of Medi-Cities, the health care delivery system, in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to receive a major boost.