Healthcare Facilities Across J&K Strained Due to Lack of Medical and Paramedical Staff
J&K Hospitals Struggle with Severe Staff Shortages Across All Levels
Govt Takes Steps to Address Vacancies, Enhance Healthcare Services
Srinagar, Mar 25: The Health and Medical Education Department has informed the Jammu and Kashmir government about a critical shortage of healthcare personnel across various hospitals and medical institutions in the Union Territory.
This issue was highlighted in response to a starred question raised by MLA Sham Lal Sharma in the Legislative Assembly regarding staff deficits in hospitals and the government’s measures to address them.
Current Staff Shortages Across Departments
According to the latest data presented in the House, multiple directorates and healthcare institutions are facing a shortage of both gazetted and non-gazetted staff:
- Directorate of Health Services Jammu
- Gazetted posts: 2,144 sanctioned, 1,164 filled, 980 vacant
- Non-gazetted posts: 8,363 sanctioned, 5,426 filled, 2,937 vacant
- Directorate of Health Services Kashmir
- Gazetted posts: 2,452 sanctioned, 2,032 filled, 420 vacant
- Non-gazetted posts: 4,798 sanctioned, 3,224 filled, 1,574 vacant
- AYUSH Department
- Gazetted posts: 690 sanctioned, 645 filled, 45 vacant
- Non-gazetted posts: 521 sanctioned, 331 filled, 190 vacant
- National Health Mission (NHM)
- Gazetted posts: 1,717 sanctioned, 1,412 filled, 305 vacant
- Non-gazetted posts: 10,758 sanctioned, 9,336 filled, 1,422 vacant
- Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar & Associated Hospitals
- Gazetted posts: 812 sanctioned, 465 filled, 347 vacant
- Non-gazetted posts: 5,997 sanctioned, 4,013 filled, 1,984 vacant
- Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu
- Gazetted posts: 669 sanctioned, 307 filled, 362 vacant
Government Measures to Address Staff Shortages
The government has assured that adequate staffing arrangements are in place to ensure the smooth functioning of hospitals and colleges. However, efforts are underway to fill vacancies and enhance healthcare services:
- Recruitment of Medical Officers
- 365 Medical Officers were appointed in November 2024 and posted in areas with staff shortages.
- 91 additional selectees from the waiting list will be deployed to underserved areas.
- 181 posts of Medical Officers are awaiting selections from the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC), after which doctors will be posted to the required institutions.
- Recruitment of Non-Gazetted Staff
- 292 vacancies in the Directorate of Family Welfare, MCH, and Immunization have been referred to the JKSSB for recruitment.
- 290 non-gazetted/paramedical vacancies in the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu have also been sent for recruitment.
- Academic Arrangements for Faculty in GMCs
- Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in J&K have adequate regular faculty, but vacant posts at entry levels have been referred to JKPSC for selection.
- Until permanent appointments are made, temporary faculty appointments are being made on an academic arrangement basis under SO 364 of 2020, ensuring that patient care and academic activities continue uninterrupted.
- Medical colleges must maintain a specific faculty strength to comply with National Medical Commission (NMC) requirements, and regular inspections are conducted to ensure standards are met.
Way Forward
The government has emphasized that filling staff vacancies remains a priority to strengthen J&K’s healthcare infrastructure. With new recruitments underway and temporary measures in place, authorities aim to improve medical services and ensure that patients receive timely and quality care across the Union Territory.
