93 medical, paramedical positions vacant in Shopian health institutions

Shopian, Mar 17: The Jammu and Kashmir government has revealed that 93 medical and paramedical positions remain vacant across various health institutions in Shopian.
The information was disclosed in response to an Assembly question raised by MLA Shopian, Shabir Ahmad Kullay. The Minister Incharge of Health & Medical Education Department confirmed the vacancies in District Hospital Shopian, CHC-Keller and several Primary Health Centres (PHCs), New Type PHCs (NTPHCs), and Health Sub-Centres.
It was informed that District Hospital Shopian faces a shortage of 40 paramedical staff, along with vacancies for 2 senior consultants, 2 consultants, 2 homeopathy medical officers, and 1 dental surgeon.
CHC Keller is short of 14 staff members, including 1 consultant, 6 medical officers, and 7 paramedical staff.
It was also revealed that 31 vacancies exist across PHCs, NTPHCs, and Health Sub-Centers across different areas of Shopian.
The Health Department attributed the vacancies primarily to retirements and resignations.
It was said that the government has initiated recruitment drives to fill the vacant posts.
The Minister Incharge said that 292 paramedical posts have been referred for recruitment under the Directorate of Family Welfare, Maternity & Child Health (MCH), and Immunization, while 290 paramedical positions under the Directorate of Health Services Jammu have also been sent for recruitment.
It was said that in November 2024, 365 newly appointed Medical Officers were deployed across J&K to strengthen healthcare services, particularly in peripheral areas.
Furthermore, 91 more doctors are expected to be placed in underserved regions soon.
181 Medical Officer positions are still awaiting selection results from the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), and once finalized, they will be assigned to hospitals facing staff shortages.