Srinagar, March 21 -- According to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Jammu & Kashmir will get new medical colleges in Udhampur and Handwara (Kupwara district), while Ladakh will have its first-ever medical college in Leh.

The initiative is part of the government's broader plan to strengthen healthcare education by establishing 157 new medical colleges across India, with a focus on aspirational districts and border regions, the ministry said.

It said these new institutions aim to improve access to medical education and address the shortage of healthcare professionals in remote areas.

In addition to the newly approved colleges, Jammu & Kashmir already has five medical colleges in Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri, Doda and Kathua, esta...