Srinagar, Mar 17: The Health and Medical Education Department has informed the Jammu and Kashmir government that vacancies for non-gazetted and paramedical staff in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) Assembly constituency have been referred to the J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) to enhance healthcare services.
The information was provided in the Legislative Assembly in response to a starred question raised by MLA Baidev Raj Sharma regarding steps taken to provide essential medical and paramedical staff, along with necessary infrastructure, in the SMVD constituency.
According to the official response, out of the 184 sanctioned medical and paramedical posts, 107 are currently filled. Additionally, 105 NHM (National Health Mission) staff, including medical and paramedical personnel, have been deployed in the constituency.
The house was informed that 39 healthcare institutions are functioning in the SMVD constituency, comprising one Community Health Centre (CHC), two Primary Health Centres (PHCs), five New Type PHCs (NTPHCs), and 31 Sub-Centres.
The department also highlighted that 365 medical officers were recently appointed, seven of whom have been posted in far-flung and peripheral areas of District Reasi.
Furthermore, 292 vacancies in the non-gazetted/paramedical category from the Directorate of Family Welfare, Maternity and Child Health (MCH), and Immunization, along with 290 vacancies under the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, have also been referred to JKSSB for recruitment, aiming to strengthen the healthcare system significantly.
In response to a query about constructing a separate building for office of Block Medical Officer (BMO) Bhomag, the house was informed that Bhomag falls under the jurisdiction of BMO Reasi, and there is no sanctioned post for a separate BMO.
Consequently, no office building for the BMO is being constructed in Bhomag. However, Sub-Centres at Kothroo and Kroonkte are currently under construction under the District Capex plan.
Addressing concerns over a shortage of doctors at PHC Tote, the government clarified that, as per Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), there is no provision for specialist doctors in PHCs.
PHC Tote is operational and adequately staffed with medical and paramedical personnel, including one AYUSH Medical Officer and four doctors from the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) program for fieldwork, further strengthening healthcare services in the area.
Additionally, the house was informed that Dr. Pawan Kumar, who was posted at PHC Tote, has been selected for a demonstratorship position at GMC Jammu.
Pertinently, in November 2024, 365 medical officers were appointed under the J&K Health & Family Welfare (Gazetted) Services, with seven posted in District Reasi to improve healthcare services at the grassroots level. The department is also in the process of operating the waitlist for 91 selectee medical officers, whose services will be utilized in underserved areas across J&K.
Regarding the potential upgrade of CHC Katra to a Sub-District Hospital (SDH), the department clarified that CHC Katra is already functioning as a 30-bedded SDH with five specialties and additional specialized services, including a sonologist and an orthopedist.
