The Initiative

ESTABLISHING THE FIRST 24HR JCI ACCREDITED SMART HOSPITAL IN AZAD KASHMIR

Deprivation and poverty can only be addressed through improved healthcare provision.

A state-of-the-art JCI-accredited hospital will be built in Azad Kashmir and serve a broader community of up to one million people, which is home to approx. 500,000 people.

There are limited hospital beds in Azad Kashmir, with an average of 1738 people per bed. Infant mortality rates are at 62/1000, and locals are eager for the facility as it is much needed.

In addition to serving people in Azad Kashmir, SMART Hospital will play a leading role in cardiothoracic research in Pakistan.

  • 300 – 500 inpatient Beds
  • 10 Major Cubicles
  • 6 Rescue Cubicles
  • 4 Minor Cubicles
  • 1 Ophthamology Bay
  • 8 ITU Beds
  • 2 HDU Beds
  • 5 Maternity Beds
  • Neonato
  • Cardiovascular
  • Accident Emergency
  • Trauma
  • Acute Medicine
  • Radiology
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Outpatients
  • Pediatrics
  • Pathology
  • Diagnostics
  • Critical Care
  • Pharmacy
  • Outpatients
  • Pathology
  • Lecture Theater
  • Library
  • Accommodation
  • Gymnasium
  • Cafe

Current Position

Bridging the Gap: Improving Healthcare Access and Quality in AJK

AJK’s health infrastructure and workforce were devastated during the earthquake of 2005. Although large-scale reconstruction has replaced the damage, the region is still recovering from the trauma.

AJK faces a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases and nutritional deficiencies like other regions. Human resource is insufficient, and healthcare services at many facilities are not uniform and of poor quality.

According to a study, the major issues faced by the facilities were mainly due to the lack of MNCH-related staff at the facilities, like WM0s at RHCs and specialists (Including gynecologists, anesthetists, and pediatricians).

The availability of staff residences was seen as a major impediment to ensuring the 24/7 availability of EmONC services. Infrastructure components required for pediatric care were also deficient at some facilities in the subdivisions.

The problem is even further exacerbated by the geographical spread of the population over difficult and inaccessible terrain as well as a deteriorated security environment due to frequent cross border skirmishes.

Maternal and child health services have been under-emphasized within the health system resulting in a high rate of maternal and child deaths.

Communicable diseases account for a large proportion of deaths and disability in the region. Among children, diarrhoea, pneumonia, and vaccine preventable diseases are the main cause of morbidity.

Nutritional status of the population, although better than other regions, is still generally poor. Similarly, micronutrient deficiencies are also frequent, and there is a widespread lack of awareness about malnutrition.

Patchy and sporadic data coverage and major data validity and reliability issues hamper decision making and management. Information systems relating to logistics, finances, human resource and health are limited in operation.

To add to the already challenging situation, a reduction of the federal share in the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award in the post-18th amendment scenario has dire implications for AJK’s planning, budgeting, and operations.

The region is, however, endeavouring to evolve local mechanisms and capacity to handle management and service delivery.

The Future

Pioneering the Future of Advanced Healthcare in AJK

As several new medical schools have been introduced in Azad Kashmir, many doctors and nurses will graduate annually. Therefore, it is the best time to launch the SMART Hospital project in this region. The hospital will cater to a sizable patient population of more than 500,000 people. It will also provide advanced medical technologies and healthcare techniques to train and educate future healthcare professionals.