J&K hospitals face severe shortage of staff

Srinagar, Mar 24: The Health and Medical Education Department has informed the Jammu and Kashmir government about the significant shortage of healthcare staff across various levels in the Union Territory.
This information was shared in response to a starred question raised by MLA Sham Lal Sharma regarding the staff deficit in hospitals and the measures being undertaken to ensure adequate manpower for improved healthcare facilities.
As per the district-wise details of sanctioned strength, in-position/vacant posts, number of recruitments made against the newly created posts it said DHS Jammu there is a gazetted strength of 2144 positions of which 1164 are in position and 980 are vacant. It said there are 8363 non-gazetted posts of which 5426 are in position and 2937 are vacant.
As per the details provided in the house, there are 2452 gazetted positions vacant in Directorate of Health Services Kashmir which includes 2032 in position and 420 are vacant and there are 4798 non-gazetted positions of which 3224 are in position and 1574 are vacant.
In the AYUSH department, there are 690 gazetted posts, out of which 645 positions are filled, while 45 remain vacant. Similarly, in the non-gazetted category, there are 521 sanctioned posts, with 331 in position and 190 vacancies.
Under the National Health Mission (NHM), there are 1,717 gazetted posts, with 1,412 staff members in position and 305 vacant posts. In the non-gazetted category, out of 10,758 sanctioned posts, 9,336 are filled, while 1,422 remain vacant.
In GMC Srinagar and its associated hospitals, there are 812 gazetted posts (with 465 filled and 347 vacant) and 5,997 non-gazetted posts (with 4,013 in position and 1,984 vacant), while in GMC Jammu, there are 669 gazetted posts, out of which 307 are filled and 362 remain vacant.
The NHM staff details include 151 gazetted positions (with 86 filled and 65 vacant) and 857 non-gazetted positions (with 583 in position and 274 vacant).
In reply to a question on dearth of staff in the Health and Medical Education Department, the reply said adequate staff is in place for smooth functioning of the hospitals/colleges and for ensuring proper patient care.
However, to address the shortage of staff (if any) and in the interest of patient care, vacant posts are filled on an academic arrangement basis till posts of regular faculty/doctors are filled up. The availability of staff is being supplemented through the NHM as well.
The department said in the month of November 2024, 365 selectees were appointed as Medical Officers in the J&K Health and Family Welfare (Gazetted) Services and were posted in areas facing a shortage of staff.
The department is also in the process of operating a waitlist in respect of 91 selected medical officers, whose services will also be utilized in underserved areas across the UT of J&K.
“Besides, 181 posts of Medical Officers are still to be received from Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). Upon receiving the selections, the selectee doctors will be posted at health institutions experiencing staff shortages.”
It said additionally, 292 vacancies in the Non-Gazetted/paramedical category from the Directorate of Family Welfare, MCH, and Immunization have also been referred to the JKSSB for recruitment.
Also, 290 vacancies in the Non-Gazetted/Paramedical category from the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu, have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Service Selection Board (JKSSB) for recruitment.
In response to a query on whether Medical Colleges and Associated Hospitals in Jammu & Kashmir operate with ad-hoc staff, the reply stated that Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in J&K have adequate regular faculty.
“All the vacant entry-level posts of GMCs stand referred to JKPSC for advertisement and selection of suitable candidates.”
However, until regular faculty is appointed through JKPSC or Departmental Promotion Committees (DPC), the vacant posts are being temporarily filled on an academic arrangement basis, as per SO 364 of 2020, dated 27.11.2020. This arrangement ensures the continuation of patient care and academic activities.
The department further emphasised that medical colleges must maintain a certain level of faculty to meet National Medical Commission (NMC) requirements. These institutions are regularly inspected by the NMC to ensure compliance with standards.