Srinagar: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh on Monday sought a response from the government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting gaps in healthcare, early intervention and rehabilitation facilities for children with disabilities and developmental disorders across Jammu and Kashmir.
The petition, filed by social worker and child rights activist Zaheer Abbas Jan, raises concerns over the inadequate availability of specialised therapeutic services, shortage of trained professionals and infrastructural deficiencies in government-run institutions.
Advocate Junaid Mohammad Junaid, counsel for the petitioner, told this newspaper that the court had issued notice to the concerned authorities and listed the matter for further hearing on December 16.
The litigation draws attention to the difficulties confronting children requiring specialised care and their families, particularly those dependent on public healthcare facilities for regular therapy and rehabilitation.
It points to a shortage of occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychologists and other professionals needed to provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary support. Deficiencies have also been highlighted in Composite Regional Centres (CRCs), Government Medical Colleges and district-level healthcare facilities.
According to the petition, families from Srinagar, Budgam, Anantnag, Handwara, Kupwara, Jammu and Leh have experienced difficulties in securing consistent access to early intervention and therapeutic services.
The petitioner maintains that in the absence of adequate facilities closer to their homes, many families have little option but to make repeated journeys to Srinagar and Jammu or temporarily shift there to continue their children’s treatment.
Such arrangements, the petition states, impose considerable financial pressure, affect the livelihood of caregivers and interfere with children’s education.
To support the allegations, the PIL cites official correspondence from government institutions.
One such communication, issued by Government Medical College Jammu on August 30, 2023, reportedly acknowledged that Occupational-therapy services were being provided alongside Physiotherapy because of space limitations.
It also referred to the proposed availability of services at the District Early Intervention Centre established at SMGS Hospital.
Another communication, dated May 5, 2026, relating to Composite Regional Centre Srinagar, reportedly confirmed that Speech-therapy could not be provided in a particular case owing to the absence of a Speech Therapist.
It also emphasised the need for better counselling, guidance and timely facilitation of services.
The petition additionally relies on a report of the Child Guidance and Well-being Centre/IMHANS, forwarded through GMC Srinagar.
The report, as cited in the PIL, points to persistent shortages of manpower, vacant positions, reduced programme funding and staffing, and inadequate dedicated infrastructure.
The petitioner has submitted that the absence or delayed availability of specialised intervention can adversely affect the developmental progress of children who require speech, occupational, behavioural and psychological therapies.
The consequences, according to the plea, are particularly severe for families living in remote areas and those unable to afford private treatment.
Invoking the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, particularly Sections 3, 25 and 27, the PIL seeks enforcement of existing legal obligations and improvement in the delivery of services rather than the introduction of an entirely new healthcare programme.
Among the key demands is a comprehensive, district-wise assessment of existing rehabilitation facilities, sanctioned and vacant posts, availability of qualified professionals, equipment, waiting periods and referral arrangements.
The petitioner has also sought a time-bound action plan to operationalise early intervention and rehabilitation services at the district level, strengthen existing facilities at Government Medical Colleges and CRCs in Srinagar and Jammu, and establish functional referral networks among healthcare institutions.
The plea further calls for clear accountability mechanisms and minimum standards of service delivery so that access to essential treatment does not depend on a child’s place of residence or the financial capacity of the family.
Seeking judicial intervention, the petitioner has urged the High Court to obtain a verified status report from the concerned departments and issue appropriate directions for time-bound remedial measures to safeguard the rights and welfare of children with disabilities across Jammu and Kashmir.
