Chorus grows for revival of Baramulla’s Old Hospital building

The revival of Baramulla’s old hospital building has once again emerged as a major public demand, with residents and members of the business community stressing that its restoration would significantly improve healthcare services and revive economic activity in the town centre.

The demand for reviving Baramulla’s old hospital building has gained renewed momentum, with residents and traders asserting that restoring the facility would not only strengthen healthcare access but also help rejuvenate commercial activity in the heart of the town.

Spread over more than 30 kanals of land and located in the heart of Baramulla town, the old hospital building has remained largely unutilised since healthcare services were shifted to the new Government Medical College (GMC) facility. 

Locals believe that bringing the building back into use would help ensure better access to healthcare at the doorstep while also reducing the growing patient rush at GMC Baramulla.

Former president of the Traders Federation Baramulla, Muhammad Ashraf, said the business community has suffered considerable losses since the hospital was shifted from the town centre. 

He said that authorities had repeatedly assured the public that the building would be converted into a New Type Primary Health Centre (NTPHC), but no tangible progress has been made so far. 

“The day authorities shifted the hospital to GMC Baramulla, countless assurances were given that the hospital building will host some health facilities. 

However, till date nothing has been done in this direction,” said Muhammad Ashraf.  Ashraf alleged that political interference has repeatedly stalled efforts aimed at utilising the facility. 

He recalled that during the tenure of former Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, a proposal had been approved to convert the building into a Mother and Child Care Hospital, and funds amounting to Rs 2 crore were also sanctioned.

However, the plan could not materialise and remained in abeyance. He further said that a few months ago, authorities had proposed shifting some departments of GMC Baramulla to the old hospital premises and forwarded the proposal to higher authorities, but no further progress has been witnessed.

Ashraf appealed to Health Minister Sakina Itoo, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the local MLA, Javed Hassan Beig to intervene and ensure the early revival of the old hospital building in the larger public interest.