Pahalgam Hospital: A Year After Attack, Neglect Persists

One year ago, on April 22, 2025, a terrorist attack in Pahalgam overwhelmed the local government hospital, which received 26 deceased and 17 injured individuals. Despite this critical event, the Pahalgam Civil Hospital continues to operate from its original five rooms. Essential services like outpatient consultations, X-rays, and ECGs are conducted in this limited space.

Construction on a new, three-storey hospital building adjacent to the current facility has been stalled for years. This project, cleared in 2021 to upgrade the hospital to a 50-bed capacity, faces significant delays, with officials citing a Rs 4.3 crore funding gap and inter-departmental blame between health and roads/buildings departments.

Despite serving as a crucial medical point for nearly 1.2 million tourists, 512,000 Amarnath pilgrims in 2024, and approximately 200,000 local residents, the hospital's resources remain insufficient. Critically ill patients are often referred to Anantnag, an hour away, due to a lack of specialized services and unfilled posts for a sub-district hospital.

The hall used to temporarily store bodies after the 2025 attack remains incomplete. Health officials estimate the new building could become operational within six months if outstanding funds are released, but the overall project's future remains uncertain.