Srinagar, Mar 19: The Jammu and Kashmir government is grappling with a shortage of 313 consultant and senior consultant doctors, the Health and Medical Education Department informed the Legislative Assembly today. The information was provided in response to a starred question raised by MLA Arjun Singh Raju concerning the shortage of specialists and consultants in district hospitals across the region, including District Hospital Ramban.
“In J&K, there is a sanctioned strength of 852 Consultants of which 562 are in position and 290 are vacant as of 01.03.2025. The vacant posts are being filled up under the 60:40 criteria, where 60% are recruited through JKPSC and 40% through promotions,” the reply said.
It informed that the promotional quota is under active consideration as per the mandate of DPC, whereas the direct quota will be referred to J&KPSC very soon after completing all codal formalities, including Ramban District.
The house was informed that additionally, there is a sanctioned strength of 42 Senior Consultants in J&K, against which 19 are in position and 23 are vacant. All posts are promotional quota and are under process/active consideration as per the mandate of DPC.
Regarding District Hospital Ramban, the reply said there is a sanctioned strength of 22 Consultants/Specialists, of which 5 are in position, and 17 are vacant.
In reply to another question on whether govt. intends to upgrade DH Ramban 100 bedded Hospital the response said during the year 2014, the hospital started functioning as a 50-bedded hospital.
However, the bed capacity of the hospital has been strengthened to 66 by the inclusion of an 8-bedded Maternal ICU and an 8-bedded Pediatric ICU since May 2023 and November 2024, respectively, under the Emergency Covid Response Package (ECRP-II) Scheme.
It said as of now, no future upgradation is planned, which may be worked out once the austerity measures in terms of Govt. Order No. 10-F of 2025, dated 11.01.2025, imposed by the Finance Department, are withdrawn and critical gaps, if any, are brought to notice.
Currently, J&K is working on the consolidation of existing health facilities, as around 4200 health institutes at various levels (Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary) exist.
In response to a query on a new Trauma Hospital near NH Ramban, the government stated that the Trauma Centre at District Hospital Ramban has been functional since 2010. Built at ₹75.04 lakh under the State Sector (Capacity Building for Trauma Care facilities in Govt. Hospital on NHW), it was funded for trauma care through JKPCC Ltd.
Regarding the dilapidated mortuary at DH Ramban, the government stated that ₹27.29 lakh has been estimated for its renovation, with funding to be allocated under an appropriate healthcare scheme.
In reply to another query, the Health Department stated that PHC Ukhral does not qualify for upgradation to CHC under IPHS Guidelines-2022, set by the MoH&FW, GoI, as its population is 29,853, whereas a minimum of 80,000 is required. Ukhral Block currently has 4 PHCs, 4 NTPHCs, and 15 SC Centres with skilled healthcare personnel.
Similarly, the Emergency Hospital Batote does not qualify for upgradation to the level of Sub-District Hospital as per IPHS norms, which clearly prescribes that districts with less than 5 lakh population with a functional DH do not need a Sub-District Hospital.
The house was informed that the population of District Ramban is only 2,83,713. However, Batote Block is facilitated with 1 CHC, 2 PHCs, 9 NTPHCs, and 26 SCs with skilled human resources to provide healthcare services to the citizens of the area.
