Srinagar, Feb 03 : Jammu and Kashmir’s public healthcare system is grappling with a severe staff shortage, with nearly 10,000 posts lying vacant across medical colleges and health institutions, the government informed the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday.
In a written reply to a question by MLA Budgam Aga Muntazir Mehdi, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Itoo said thousands of posts remain vacant in the department and efforts are underway to fill all positions.
According to the reply accessed by News Agency, Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla has 431 vacant posts out of a sanctioned strength of 1,304, with only 873 posts currently filled. GMC Anantnag is operating with 424 vacancies out of 1,098 sanctioned posts, while GMC Rajouri faces a shortage of 125 faculty members.
The situation is particularly critical at GMC Udhampur, where 668 posts are vacant out of a sanctioned strength of 799, leaving the institution with a skeletal workforce. At GMC Handwara, the government reported 37 vacant gazetted posts, along with hundreds of non-gazetted posts remaining unfilled.
In the Family Welfare Department, the minister said that out of 2,276 sanctioned posts, only 1,703 are in position, leaving 573 vacancies.
The reply also highlighted large-scale vacancies in the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir (DHSK), where 388 gazetted and 2,797 non-gazetted posts are vacant, affecting primary and secondary healthcare services across the Valley.
Major tertiary care institutions are also impacted. GMC Jammu has 538 vacant gazetted posts and 904 non-gazetted posts, while GMC Srinagar is short of 434 gazetted and 174 non-gazetted staff members.
At GMC Kathua, 288 posts are vacant, including 84 gazetted and 204 non-gazetted positions.
Dental colleges are also affected, with 57 posts vacant at Government Dental College, Jammu, and 48 at Government Dental College, Srinagar.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu (DHSJ), reported 1,489 vacancies, along with 116 other posts lying unfilled. GMC Doda is also facing shortages across multiple categories, with 336 posts vacant under different heads. (Agencies)
