Health Dept Plans to Reinstate 24/7 Surgical Services
Emergency Hospital Vijaypur Fully Operational; Govt Plans 24/7 Surgical Services Restoration
Srinagar, Mar 20: The Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has informed the Jammu and Kashmir government that the Emergency Hospital, Vijaypur, is fully operational and adequately staffed with medical and paramedical personnel.
The clarification was provided in the Legislative Assembly in response to a starred question raised by MLA Chander Prakash Ganga regarding vacant posts and efforts to address staffing shortages. The government also corrected the hospital’s official name, stating that it is Emergency Hospital, Vijaypur, and not Accidental Hospital, Vijaypur.
Staffing and Strengthening Healthcare Services
According to the government’s response, out of 24 sanctioned posts for doctors, 13 are currently filled, including Consultants and Medical Officers. In the paramedical category, 25 out of 33 sanctioned posts are occupied. Additionally, two doctors and 10 paramedics from the National Health Mission (NHM) have been deployed to further strengthen the hospital’s services.
To enhance healthcare delivery, the government recently appointed 365 Medical Officers under the J&K Health & Family Welfare (Gazetted) Services, with 10 doctors assigned to District Samba. Moreover, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) is in the process of selecting 181 Medical Officers, who will be deployed in hospitals facing critical staff shortages.
The waitlist for 91 selected Medical Officers is also being considered for deployment to underserved regions. Additionally, 292 vacancies in the non-gazetted/paramedical category from the Directorate of Family Welfare, Maternity and Child Health (MCH) & Immunisation, J&K, and 290 vacancies from the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, have been referred to J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for recruitment.
Restoring 24/7 Surgery Services
Addressing concerns over the hospital’s Surgery Unit, the government clarified that surgical procedures were fully functional until October 2024. However, services were temporarily halted due to the suspension of the concerned doctor, an issue beyond the department’s control.
The H&ME Department assured that efforts are underway to restore 24/7 surgical operations. The ongoing selection process in JKPSC is expected to provide replacements, and once new appointments are made, full-fledged surgical services will resume.
“The department remains committed to ensuring the highest healthcare standards and will take all necessary steps to restore round-the-clock surgical services as soon as possible,” the government stated.
This announcement underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
