Community Health Centres (CHCs) across urban and rural areas of Jammu & Kashmir continue to face a severe manpower shortage, according to the Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure & Human Resources) 2022-23 report released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The report was also cited in response to questions in the Lok Sabha.
J&K has 52 functional CHCs, all operating in government-owned buildings. Of the 220 sanctioned posts for specialist doctors—including surgeons, obstetricians & gynaecologists (OB&GY), physicians, and paediatricians—only 116 positions are currently filled, leaving 104 vacant.
Rural CHCs:
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Surgeons: 55 posts sanctioned, 30 filled, 25 vacant
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Obstetricians & Gynaecologists: 58 posts sanctioned, 36 filled, 22 vacant
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Physicians: 56 posts sanctioned, 25 filled, 31 vacant
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Paediatricians: 51 posts sanctioned, 25 filled, 26 vacant
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Anaesthetists: 51 posts sanctioned, 26 filled, 25 vacant
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General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs – Allopathic): 484 posts sanctioned, 384 filled, 100 vacant
Other key staff shortages in CHCs:
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Pharmacists: 193 sanctioned, 146 filled, 47 vacant
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Laboratory Technicians: 272 sanctioned, 229 filled, 43 vacant
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Nursing Staff: 373 sanctioned, 278 filled, 95 vacant
In rural CHCs, there are 234 sanctioned posts for radiographers, of which 204 are filled, leaving 30 vacant.
The report highlights that J&K’s CHCs collectively have 116 specialists in place, with 28 of the 52 CHCs located in urban areas. The shortage of doctors and medical staff has adversely affected patient care, especially child care services and critical medical support in rural areas. (Agencies)
