Anantnag District Health Profile

Anantnag District Health Profile

General Overview

Anantnag District, located in the southern sector of the Jehlum Valley, is known for its rejuvenating climate, majestic mountains, and scenic landscapes enriched with springs, streams, and fertile land. The district spans from 33°20′ to 34°15′ North latitude and 74°30′ to 75°35′ East longitude. It shares borders with the tehsils of Reasi, Banihal, and Kishtwar to the south and east, while Pulwama and Kulgam districts lie to its north and west. Notably, the district boasts streams such as Sandran, Brengi, Arpath, and Lidder, which supports agriculture by irrigating the land.

After the establishment of Kulgam as a separate district in 2007, Anantnag’s area covers approximately 2,917 square kilometers, constituting 1.31% of Jammu & Kashmir’s total area. According to the 2011 Census, the district’s population stands at 1.07 million, with 552,000 males and 517,000 females.

Administrative Setup

Anantnag includes 605 villages, a municipal council, and 10 municipal committees. The district is divided into six tehsils (Anantnag, Bijbehara, Dooru, Shangus, Kokernag, and Pahalgam) and further subdivided into 16 Nayabats and 96 Patwar halqas, covering seven Community Development Blocks. Law enforcement is maintained through nine police stations and six police posts.

Climate

Due to its proximity to the Peer Panchal range, Anantnag enjoys a more temperate summer climate, though winters bring significant snowfall and colder temperatures. The region receives limited monsoon influence, with most rainfall occurring in spring, moderate in summer, light in autumn, and moderate in winter.

Health Infrastructure and Resources

Anantnag’s health sector plays a crucial role, especially given the district’s topography and influx of tourists year-round, particularly during the Amarnath Yatra. Major health facilities include:

1. District Hospitals:
   • Mirza Mohammad Afzal Beigh Memorial Hospital
   • Maternity & Child Care Hospital
   • District Tuberculosis Centre
2. Sub-District Hospitals (SDH): Located in Bijbehara, Dooru, Seer Hamadan, Shangus, and Kokernag.
3. Health Blocks: Anantnag District has seven health blocks:
   1. Achabal
   2. Bijbehara
   3. Larnoo
   4. Mattan
   5. Sallar
   6. Shangus
   7. Verinag

   These blocks serve to streamline healthcare services across the district, focusing on primary health and specialized programs, and ensure accessible healthcare in both rural and urban areas.

4. Primary Health Centers (PHCs): 26 across the district, plus 36 New Type PHCs (NTPHCs) and 137 Sub Centers (SCs).
5. Medical Education Facilities:
   • General Nursing and Midwifery School
   • Auxiliary Nursing and Midwifery School
6. Healthcare Services:
   • Includes programs like RNTCP (Tuberculosis), NLEP (Leprosy), COB (Control of Blindness), and school health check-ups.
   • Under the National Health Mission, institutional deliveries have increased in rural areas, reducing maternal and infant mortality.
7. Planned Facilities:
   • A new medical college is proposed at Dialgam, and a nursing training college is under consideration. Additionally, an AIIMS facility sanctioned at Awantipora will support regional healthcare.

Human Resources

This comprehensive setup and continuous enhancement of healthcare infrastructure underscore Anantnag’s commitment to advancing public health.