Good healthcare is important for every family. In Uttarakhand, access to healthcare can sometimes be difficult because many people live in hilly and remote areas. Long travel distances and difficult roads can make it harder for patients to reach large hospitals. The state government runs a public healthcare system that includes primary health centres, community health centres, sub-district hospitals, district hospitals, and larger medical college hospitals.
The National Health Mission also supports services such as maternal care, child healthcare, disease screening, mobile medical units, telemedicine and emergency ambulance services. Patients can also reach major government medical centres such as Doon Hospital in Dehradun, government medical college hospitals in different parts of the state, and AIIMS Rishikesh.
How Public Healthcare Works in Uttarakhand
The government healthcare system works at different levels. A person with a minor health problem may first visit a nearby Primary Health Centre (PHC) or Community Health Centre (CHC). If the patient needs a specialist, advanced tests, or hospital admission, doctors can refer the person to a sub-district hospital, district hospital, or medical college hospital.
This system is particularly important in Uttarakhand because people in remote mountain areas may not live close to a large hospital. The National Health Mission aims to provide accessible and affordable healthcare, particularly for rural and vulnerable populations. Its programmes cover areas such as women’s health, child health, immunisation, nutrition, communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases.
Key Government Hospitals and Medical Centres in Uttarakhand
1. AIIMS Rishikesh
AIIMS Rishikesh is one of the major public healthcare institutions serving Uttarakhand and nearby regions. Its hospital has departments covering areas such as general medicine, general surgery, cardiology, neurosurgery, orthopaedics, paediatrics, gynaecology, pulmonary medicine, radiology, radiotherapy and emergency medicine. Its official directory also lists blood bank, central laboratory, MRI and other services.
AIIMS Rishikesh also provides telemedicine services. Its e-Sanjeevani services include specialties such as general medicine, surgery, dermatology, orthopaedics, pulmonary medicine, urology, psychiatry and obstetrics and gynaecology. This can help patients who find regular travel difficult.
2. Government Doon Medical College and Doon Hospital, Dehradun
Government Doon Medical College is an important government medical institution in Dehradun. Its associated Doon Hospital provides tertiary-level healthcare and serves patients from Dehradun and other parts of the Garhwal region.
The hospital provides services in several specialties. These include general medicine, general surgery, cardiology, neurosurgery, urology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, psychiatry, dermatology, respiratory medicine, emergency medicine, and obstetrics and gynaecology. The hospital also has facilities such as CT scan, MRI, blood bank, intensive care, and trauma and emergency services.
3. Government Medical College Haldwani
Government Medical College Haldwani is another major government medical institution in the Kumaon region. The Uttarakhand Medical Education Department lists it among the state’s government medical colleges.
The public healthcare system in Haldwani also includes Sushila Tiwari Government Hospital, which has served as an important government hospital in the region. Patients requiring specialist or advanced hospital care may be referred to major facilities in Haldwani depending on their condition.
4. Government Medical College Srinagar
Veer Chandra Singh Garhwali Government Institute of Medical Science & Research is located in Srinagar in Pauri Garhwal. The state Medical Education Department lists it among Uttarakhand’s government medical colleges.
Its associated HNB Teaching and Base Hospital provides an important healthcare facility for people in the Garhwal region. The government has also listed the Srinagar base hospital among public facilities where dialysis services are available.
5. Government Medical College Almora
Government Medical College Almora is another government medical institution serving the Kumaon hills. Its associated government teaching hospital provides services including general medicine, surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics, ophthalmology, paediatrics and orthopaedics. The hospital also lists CT scan, ultrasound, digital X-ray, laboratory services, PICU and NICU facilities. A 24-hour emergency service is also listed.
6. Government Medical College Haridwar
Government Medical College Haridwar is a newer government medical college established to strengthen tertiary healthcare in the Haridwar region. The official college website lists departments such as general medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics, paediatrics, dermatology, dentistry, ENT, psychiatry, anaesthesia, and blood bank services. The college is part of the state’s effort to expand government medical education and higher-level healthcare facilities in the region.
Important Public Healthcare Services in Uttarakhand
Government hospitals are not limited to treating patients after they become seriously ill. Uttarakhand’s public health system also provides preventive and community-based services.
1. Emergency Ambulance Services
The 108 ambulance service provides emergency transportation and pre-hospital care. It is intended for emergencies such as road accidents, pregnancy-related cases, cardiac emergencies, and other serious situations. In an emergency, people should not delay treatment while trying to arrange private transportation.
2. 104 Health Helpline
The 104 Health Helpline is a toll-free health service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Uttarakhand. People can use it to ask health-related questions, get information about diseases and government health schemes, find information about hospitals and health services, seek help for minor illnesses, and get mental health support. The service also accepts complaints related to public health facilities.
3. Telemedicine
Telemedicine can be especially useful in a mountainous state. Uttarakhand’s public health system uses telemedicine services to help connect patients with healthcare professionals without requiring every patient to travel to a large city. AIIMS Rishikesh also provides e-Sanjeevani consultations in several specialties.
4. Maternal and Child Healthcare
Government health facilities provide several services for pregnant women and newborns. The National Health Mission lists free services such as treatment, medicines and consumables, diagnostics, blood, where required, and transportation support for eligible maternal and child healthcare services at public facilities. The state also supports institutional deliveries through programmes such as Janani Suraksha Yojana.
5. Treatment for Diabetes, Blood Pressure and Cancer
Non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, cancer and heart disease require regular screening and treatment. Uttarakhand has established District NCD Clinics in district hospitals across all 13 districts. The programme also provides screening for hypertension, diabetes and common cancers. This is useful because many people may have high blood pressure or diabetes without noticing clear symptoms.
6. Dialysis Services
Kidney patients may need regular dialysis, and frequent hospital visits can become difficult and expensive. Uttarakhand’s public healthcare programme includes dialysis services at several government facilities. The state’s National Health Mission also reports free dialysis services for eligible BPL patients and Atal Ayushman beneficiaries under the relevant programme. The state has also introduced peritoneal dialysis services through Doon Medical College in Dehradun to help reduce travel requirements for suitable patients.
Government Health Schemes
1. Ayushman Card and Atal Ayushman Services
Eligible residents can use the Ayushman Card for cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals. The Uttarakhand Health Department states that PM-JAY provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for eligible beneficiaries for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation. The benefits can be used at empanelled public and private hospitals. People can enquire about eligibility and card-related assistance through authorised government channels and empanelled hospitals.
How to Choose the Right Government Health Facility
You do not always need to visit the biggest hospital for every health problem. For a common illness, basic check-up or routine healthcare, a nearby PHC or CHC may be a practical first step. For specialist treatment, tests, or admission, a district hospital or medical college hospital may be more suitable.
If it is a true emergency, go to the closest emergency room or call 108 right away instead of wasting time traveling to a faraway hospital. If you are unsure where to go, the 104 Health Helpline can provide information about hospitals and public health services in Uttarakhand.
Why Public Healthcare Matters in Uttarakhand
Public healthcare plays an important role in Uttarakhand because healthcare access is not the same in every part of the state. Large cities have medical colleges and advanced hospitals, while people in remote areas may depend more on PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals, mobile medical units, and referral services.
The state operates mobile medical units to take primary healthcare closer to people living in remote and underserved areas. The NHM says these units provide services such as basic healthcare, selected laboratory tests, pregnancy check-ups and family planning support.
The government also runs quality improvement programmes for public health facilities. NHM Uttarakhand reports that facilities including PHCs, CHCs, sub-district hospitals and district hospitals have received quality certifications under programmes such as NQAS and Kayakalp.
Quick Overview
| Healthcare Need | Where You Can Start |
| Common illness | PHC or CHC |
| Specialist consultation | CHC, SDH or District Hospital |
| Serious illness | District or Medical College Hospital |
| Major emergency | Nearest emergency department / 108 |
| Pregnancy care | Government health facility |
| Diabetes and BP screening | Public health facility / District NCD Clinic |
| Dialysis | Selected government facilities |
| Health information | 104 Health Helpline |
| Eligible cashless hospital treatment | Ayushman empanelled hospital |
| Remote-area primary care | Mobile Medical Unit |
Conclusion
Public healthcare in Uttarakhand covers much more than government hospitals in major cities. The system includes PHCs, CHCs, district hospitals, medical college hospitals, mobile medical units, emergency ambulances, telemedicine and government health programmes. Hospitals such as Doon Hospital, Government Medical College Haldwani, the government medical college hospitals in Srinagar, Almora and Haridwar, and AIIMS Rishikesh provide important higher-level healthcare services. At the same time, district hospitals and smaller health facilities help bring basic and preventive care closer to local communities.