SRINAGAR: Nearly 16,000 posts for doctors and paramedics are vacant in the Health Department in Jammu and Kashmir, Health Minister Sakina Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
Replying to a query from MLA Sham Lal Sharma, the Minister, said that there are 980 gazetted and 2,937 non-gazetted posts vacant at the Directorate of Health Services Jammu, while 420 gazetted and 1,574 non-gazetted posts are vacant at the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir.
She mentioned that there are 45 gazetted and 190 non-gazetted posts vacant in the Ayush department, while 305 gazetted and 1,422 non-gazetted posts are vacant under the National Health Mission.
The total vacancies in both Directorates, Itoo said, are 7,873 (seven thousand eight hundred and seventy-three).
Regarding the vacancies in Government Medical Colleges, Sakina stated that there are 347 gazetted and 1,984 non-gazetted posts vacant at GMC Srinagar and its associated hospitals, while 362 gazetted and 1,392 non-gazetted posts are vacant at GMC Jammu and its associated hospitals.
She noted that 91 gazetted and 283 non-gazetted posts are vacant at GMC Anantnag, followed by 232 gazetted and 357 non-gazetted at GMC Baramulla, 154 gazetted and 225 non-gazetted at GMC Doda, and 121 gazetted and 188 non-gazetted posts vacant at GMC Kathua.
Regarding GMC Rajouri, Itoo said that 173 gazetted and 232 non-gazetted posts are vacant, while 107 gazetted and 737 non-gazetted posts are vacant at GMC Handwara, and 210 gazetted and 545 non-gazetted posts are vacant at GMC Udhampur.
She further added that 65 gazetted and 274 non-gazetted posts are vacant from the NHM side in these colleges.
The total vacancies in all medical colleges in J&K amount to 8,079, bringing the total vacant posts in the department to around 16,000 (sixteen thousand).
The Minister, said that despite the large number of vacant posts, adequate staff is in place to ensure the smooth functioning of hospitals and colleges, as well as proper patient care. “To address the staff shortage and ensure patient care, vacant posts are filled on an academic arrangement basis (as and when required) until the posts of regular faculty/doctors are filled,” she said, adding, “The availability of staff is being supplemented through the National Health Mission (NHM) as well. In November 2024, 365 candidates were appointed as Medical Officers in the J&K Health and Family Welfare (Gazetted) Services and were posted to areas facing staff shortages.”
“There is adequate regular faculty in Government Medical Colleges of J&K. All vacant entry-level posts in GMCs have been referred to JKPSC for advertisement and selection of suitable candidates. However, until regular arrangements are made through selections from JKPSC and promotions by JKPSC/DPC, the posts are filled on an academic arrangement basis in terms of SO 364 of 2020 dated 27.11.2020, in the interest of patient care and other academic activities. Besides, Medical Colleges are required to maintain an adequate level of faculty at each level to meet the requirements of the National Medical Commission, which regularly inspects these institutions,” Itoo said. (KNO)
