Jahangeer Ganai
Srinagar, Apr 7: On World Health Day, as the global community reflects on equitable healthcare, Kashmir’s systemic neglect has left its public health system in shambles, reveals a recent study published in the European Journal of Medical and Health Research.
The study stresses the dire need for urgent interventions to address the region’s collapsing healthcare infrastructure, mental health epidemic and rural-urban disparities.
The research states that hospitals in urban centres like Srinagar are overcrowded, with just one doctor for every 4,000 patients—far below India’s national average.
“The mental health crisis is staggering: 45% of Kashmiris suffer from depression, anxiety, or PTSD, exacerbated by chronic violence and trauma. Women and children are disproportionately affected, yet psychiatric care remains scarce, with only a handful of facilities available,” the study notes.
It adds that maternal mortality rates in Kashmir exceed national averages, driven by inadequate antenatal care and a lack of skilled birth attendants in rural areas.
UNICEF reports reveal that poor immunisation coverage and sanitation have led to rampant child malnutrition and preventable diseases, adding that government schemes like Ayushman Bharat and the National Health Mission have faltered in rural Kashmir due to inadequate infrastructure and staffing.
Meanwhile, NGOs like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) have stepped in, providing critical mental health services and emergency care. However, their efforts are often hampered by restrictions.
The research states that water contamination, deforestation and air pollution further compound Kashmir’s health woes. “Only 45% of rural households have clean drinking water, leading to outbreaks of cholera and diarrhoea. In Srinagar, toxic air quality fuels respiratory illnesses, with no policy framework to mitigate the crisis,” it reveals.
The study identifies key areas for intervention: immediate investment in rural healthcare infrastructure and mobile clinics; expansion of mental health services, including community-based counselling; strengthened public-private partnerships to bridge gaps in care; and environmental safeguards to combat pollution and waterborne diseases.
