UP, Dec 29 : The year 2025 proved to be a period of significant reform and mixed outcomes for Uttar Pradesh’s health services. Beginning with the Mahakumbh, the year saw major strides in infrastructure expansion, emergency medical care and health insurance coverage, even as persistent challenges such as staff shortages and unfulfilled promises underscored the unfinished nature of reforms.
Under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister and Medical Health Minister Brajesh Pathak, the Health Department made discipline and accountability central to its functioning in 2025. Strict action was taken against unauthorised absenteeism, negligence, corruption and illegal private practice. More than 50 doctors were suspended or dismissed during the year. Officials said the objective was not punitive but aimed at safeguarding patient interests and restoring public trust in the healthcare system.
Strengthening primary healthcare remained a major focus. Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were expanded across rural and urban areas, with 22,775 centres becoming operational by the end of the year. These facilities provide 58 essential medicines and 13 diagnostic services, with Community Health Officers (CHOs) and ANMs enabling early diagnosis and treatment, particularly for women and children. The initiative helped reduce pressure on district hospitals and medical colleges for minor ailments.
Among the standout achievements of 2025 was the launch of the Heart Attack (STEMI) Care Network and the Hub-and-Spoke model for stroke management. Major institutions such as KGMU, SGPGI and Lohia Institute were designated as hubs, while district hospitals and community health centres were linked as spokes. The system enabled timely CT scans, thrombolytic therapy and referrals during the critical “golden hour”, saving over 150 lives, according to official estimates.
Emergency response services also saw expansion, with the government claiming the best response time for 108 and 102 ambulance services in the country. More than 2,500 new ambulances were added, improving access in remote areas. However, complaints of delayed arrivals, staff shortages and maintenance issues in several districts raised concerns about service quality and monitoring.
Uttar Pradesh emerged as a national leader in the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana in 2025. A total of 5.21 crore Ayushman cards were issued, and over 57 lakh patients availed free treatment. UP also became the first state to introduce subsidised OPD counselling for Ayushman beneficiaries in private hospitals. At the same time, strict action against fraud led to the recovery of crores of rupees, reinforcing financial discipline.
Despite these gains, the shortage of doctors and specialist staff remained the biggest challenge. Thousands of sanctioned posts remain vacant, especially in rural and remote regions. To address this, the government raised the retirement age from 62 to 65 years, appointed specialists under the National Health Mission and initiated DNB courses in government hospitals. Experts say these steps may yield results over time, but the immediate shortfall remains visible on the ground.
Safety concerns came into sharp focus after a massive fire at Lokbandhu Hospital in Lucknow, from which nearly 200 patients were evacuated safely. The incident prompted the government to mandate fire audits, mock drills, alarm systems and evacuation protocols across all government hospitals.
The year also saw gaps in meeting key promises. The Health Minister’s announcement to provide MRI facilities in all district hospitals could not be fulfilled, forcing patients to rely on costly private options — an issue expected to remain a priority in 2026.
Medical education marked a historic phase, with around 81 medical colleges operating in the state and a record increase in MBBS and postgraduate seats. Advanced facilities such as robotic surgery, gamma knife therapy and bone marrow transplant services were introduced. However, shortages of teaching faculty affected compliance with regulatory standards in some colleges. A major admission scam involving fake freedom fighter certificates during NEET-UG 2025 also highlighted the need for stricter verification mechanisms.
Mahakumbh 2025 stood out as a landmark success for the Health Department. Over seven lakh devotees were treated, more than 2.5 lakh diagnostic tests conducted and over two lakh OPD consultations recorded. Medical experts from AIIMS, BHU and countries including Canada, Germany and Russia provided comprehensive care, ensuring a safe health environment for millions of pilgrims.
Overall, 2025 was a year of progress tempered by persistent challenges for Uttar Pradesh’s health sector. While infrastructure growth, emergency care reforms and Ayushman Bharat implementation stood out as major achievements, issues such as workforce shortages, service quality and diagnostic gaps remain unresolved. The year 2026 will be crucial in determining whether policy intent translates into lasting systemic improvement.