Jammu Kashmir Saw Low Spending under National Dialysis Programme Despite Approved Funds | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded consistently low expenditure under the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme over the past five years despite receiving annual approvals, according to official data presented in the Lok Sabha.

Government figures show that the Union Territory did not report any expenditure in 2020-21. In 2021-22, it spent Rs 302.69 lakh against an approval of Rs 562.71 lakh. Expenditure dropped sharply to Rs 67.57 lakh in 2022-23, even though Rs 303 lakh had been sanctioned. In 2023-24, the Union Territory spent Rs 106.26 lakh from an approved Rs 768.60 lakh, while in 2024-25, only Rs 109.78 lakh was utilised out of Rs 437.13 lakh approved.

The Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Programme, launched in 2016 under the National Health Mission, aims to expand access to affordable haemodialysis at district hospital level. Dialysis is provided free for Below Poverty Line patients and at subsidised rates for Above Poverty Line patients.

Nationwide data shows that Andhra Pradesh reported some of the highest levels of activity under the scheme. The state has dialysis services operational on a public-private partnership model across all its 26 districts, functioning through 59 centres equipped with 716 haemodialysis machines. More than 2.57 lakh patients cumulatively accessed dialysis services in the state until October 31, 2025. Centre-wise details from Andhra Pradesh indicate steady patient inflow across most facilities during the last three financial years.

The Health Ministry said approvals and expenditure data for all states and Union Territories from 2020-21 to 2024-25 remain provisional and based on financial reports submitted by the respective governments.