The Nilgiris district, famously known as the Queen of Hills, is a jewel of Tamil Nadu with its tea plantations, tribal heritage, and serene climate. Towns like Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri, and Gudalur attract lakhs of tourists every year, but for local residents, especially the rural and tribal communities, quality healthcare access is often a challenge due to difficult terrain and limited connectivity.
This is where the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), also called Ayushman Bharat, plays a life-saving role. With free health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year, PMJAY ensures that even in remote hill regions, people can get advanced medical treatment in government and private hospitals without worrying about expenses.
PMJAY in Nilgiris
Unlike metro districts, healthcare in Nilgiris faces unique challenges:
- Geographical Barriers – Many villages are tucked deep into forests and hills, making access to hospitals time-consuming.
- Tribal Communities – The Nilgiris is home to Toda, Kota, Kurumba, and other tribal groups who face higher health risks due to malnutrition and limited healthcare awareness.
- Tourist Influx – Ooty and Coonoor see lakhs of visitors annually, which increases the demand for emergency and trauma care.
- Lifestyle Diseases – Rising cases of diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases are reported even in hilly populations.
- Respiratory Issues – Cold climate and indoor smoke exposure (from traditional kitchens) cause asthma and bronchitis.
For such populations, PMJAY’s free health insurance is a vital safety net, covering treatments ranging from dialysis and heart surgeries to cancer care and maternity services.
Healthcare in Nilgiris – An Overview
- Nilgiris district has a mix of government hospitals, ESI facilities, and private specialty centres, mostly concentrated in Ooty, Coonoor, and Gudalur.
- According to Tamil Nadu health statistics, Nilgiris has a higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases (like hypertension and diabetes) compared to some plains districts.
- Maternal and child health remains a focus, especially among tribal populations. PMJAY ensures institutional deliveries and neonatal care are free.
- Tourist-related accidents and emergencies are increasingly common. Road trauma care is available under PMJAY in empanelled hospitals.
Treatments Covered Under PMJAY in Nilgiris
| Specialty | Common Conditions in Nilgiris | Treatments Under PMJAY |
| Cardiology | Hypertension, heart attacks | Angioplasty, bypass surgery |
| Nephrology | Kidney failure (rising cases due to diabetes) | Dialysis, transplant (select hospitals) |
| Orthopedics | Falls, road accidents in hill roads | Trauma care, joint replacement |
| Gynecology & Obstetrics | Tribal maternal health, high-risk pregnancies | Normal delivery, C-section, newborn care |
| Oncology | Oral cancer, cervical cancer | Chemotherapy, radiation |
| Respiratory Diseases | Asthma, bronchitis | Inpatient treatment under PMJAY |
| Neurology | Stroke, epilepsy | Surgery, rehab |
PMJAY-Approved Hospitals in Nilgiris
Nilgiris district has several empanelled hospitals under PMJAY, including district headquarters hospitals, taluk hospitals, and select private hospitals in Ooty and Coonoor.
| Hospital Name | Type / Speciality | Address | Contact |
| District Differently Abled Welfare Office | Welfare Office | Nilgiris, TN | 125896333333333 / cmchs_pm@mdindia.com |
| TNMSC, Govt. Head Quarters Hospital Gudalur | Diagnostic Centre | Gudalur, Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| KIMS Al Shifa Healthcare Pvt Ltd | General Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Genitourinary Surgery, Orthopaedics, Neuro Surgery, Paediatric Surgery, Ophthalmology, General Medicine | Kerala (Serving Nilgiris, TN) | 4933299399 / mdpunneen@gmail.com, gm@alshifahospital.com |
| PIMS Hospital | General | Palakkad, Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| Pushpagiri Hospital | General | Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| The Eye Foundation | Eye Care | Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| Vasan Eye Care | Eye Care | Coonoor, Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| IQRAA Hospital | General | Wayanad (Serving Nilgiris, TN) | NA |
| SM Hospital (NBS Health Care) | General | Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| BS Hospital | General | Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| Nankam Hospital | Paediatric Surgery, General Medicine, Burns & Plastic Surgery, ENT, Polytrauma, Orthopaedics, Genitourinary Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Neurology, General Surgery | Nilgiris, TN | 9443235084 / nankemnkc@yahoo.com |
| Ashwini Gudalur Tribal Hospital | General Medicine, Surgical Oncology, Neonatology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, General Surgery, Burns & Plastic Surgery, ENT, Neuro Surgery, Nephrology, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, Paediatric Surgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Polytrauma, Medical Oncology, Genitourinary Surgery, Pulmonology | Gudalur, Nilgiris, TN | 8270294112 / ashwinigudalur@gmail.com |
| Sagayamatha Hospital | General Surgery, General Medicine, Obstetrics & Gynaecology | Nilgiris, TN | 9486921351 / sagayamathahospital@gmail.com |
| Revathi Scan Centre | Diagnostic | Ooty, Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| DM Wayanad Institute of Medical Science | Ophthalmology, Genitourinary Surgery, ENT, Paediatrics, Pulmonology, Neuro Surgery, Orthopaedics, General Medicine, Paediatric Surgery, Neonatology, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Nephrology, General Surgery, Cardiology | Wayanad (Serving Nilgiris, TN) | NA |
| Vinayaka Hospital | General Medicine, Nephrology, Genitourinary Surgery, Orthopaedics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, General Surgery, Pulmonology, ENT | Wayanad (Serving Nilgiris, TN) | NA |
| Govt. T Oranally UPHC | Government UPHC | Udhagamandalam, Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| Govt. Kodanadu UPHC | Government UPHC | Kotagiri, Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| Govt. Ketty UPHC | Government UPHC | Coonoor, Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| Govt. Hospital, Pandalur | Government Hospital | Pandalur, Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| Govt. Hospital, Manjoor | Government Hospital | Manjoor, Nilgiris, TN | NA |
| Govt. Head Quarters Hospital | Government Hospital | Nilgiris, TN | 9443131285 / jdhs.thenilgiris@rediffmail.com |
| Govt. Hospital, Coonoor | Government Hospital | Coonoor, Nilgiris, TN | 11111111111111 / ghcoonoor@gmail.com |
| Govt. Hospital, Gudalur | Government Hospital | Gudalur, Nilgiris, TN | 111111111111111 / empanellement@gmail.com |
| Govt. Hospital, Kothagiri | Government Hospital | Kothagiri, Nilgiris, TN | 125689666666666 / cmchs_pm@mdindia.com |
| Govt. Hospital, Gudalur | Government Hospital | Gudalur, Nilgiris, TN | 235966666666666 / cmchs_pm@mdindia.com |
| Govt. Head Quarters Hospital (DEIC) | Government DEIC | Nilgiris, TN | 123458963333333 / cmchs_pm@mdindia.com |
Local Health Insights – Nilgiris
- Diabetes & Hypertension: Surveys suggest nearly 25% of adults in Nilgiris suffer from lifestyle diseases due to changing food habits.
- Kidney Health: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is rising; dialysis units in Ooty and Gudalur are heavily used under PMJAY.
- Tribal Health: Infant mortality and malnutrition remain challenges. PMJAY-funded maternal and child health services bridge the gap.
- Accidents: Nilgiris’ winding ghat roads are accident-prone, with PMJAY-funded trauma care saving lives.
- Tourist Pressure: With over 30 lakh tourists visiting Ooty annually, demand for emergency healthcare is high.
Conclusion
The Nilgiris PMJAY hospital list is more than just a directory of hospitals, it is a lifeline for residents of this hill district. From tribal communities to migrant workers in tea estates, and from elderly hill residents to tourists facing emergencies, PMJAY provides free health insurance coverage that saves lives and protects families from debt.
FAQs – PMJAY in Nilgiris
- Which hospitals in Nilgiris are covered under PMJAY?
Government hospitals in Ooty, Coonoor, Gudalur, and select private hospitals are included. - Do tribal families in Nilgiris get PMJAY benefits?
Yes, PMJAY specifically includes poor and vulnerable families, covering many tribal households. - Are deliveries free under PMJAY in Nilgiris?
Yes, both normal and C-section deliveries are covered. - Is dialysis free in Ooty under PMJAY?
Yes, empanelled hospitals provide free dialysis under the scheme. - What is the coverage amount of PMJAY?
₹5 lakh per family per year. - Does PMJAY cover respiratory issues like asthma?
Yes, inpatient treatment for asthma and bronchitis is covered. - Can Nilgiris residents use PMJAY outside the district?
Yes, PMJAY has portability across India. - Are cancer treatments available under PMJAY in Nilgiris?
Yes, chemotherapy, radiation, and surgeries are included. - Do tea estate workers qualify for PMJAY?
Yes, many workers from low-income groups are eligible. - Can I combine PMJAY with private health insurance?
Yes, families often use PMJAY first, and private health insurance for broader protection.
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