Srinagar, March 05: The Health & Medical Education Department has informed the Jammu and Kashmir Government that policy decisions regarding service matters for National Health Mission (NHM) employees fall under the jurisdiction of the Government of India (GoI).
This statement was made in response to a question raised by MLA Rajiv Jasrotia in the J&K Assembly regarding various health-related issues, including the regularization of NHM staff.
Addressing district-wise vacancies of doctors and paramedical staff in health institutions, with a special focus on Kathua, the department stated that out of 241 sanctioned posts for doctors in Kathua district, only 88 are currently filled.
Similarly, against 612 sanctioned posts for paramedical staff, 441 are filled. To address the shortage, 53 doctors and 583 paramedical staff have been engaged under NHM to supplement the existing workforce.
The department further informed that in November 2024, 365 candidates were appointed as Medical Officers in the J&K Health & Family Welfare (Gazetted) Services, out of which 13 Medical Officers were posted in District Kathua to strengthen healthcare services at the grassroots level.
Additionally, the department is in process of utilizing a waitlist of 91 selected Medical Officers to deploy them in underserved areas across J&K.
Furthermore, 181 posts of Medical Officers are still to be received from the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC), and once selections are finalized, the new appointees will be posted in healthcare institutions facing staff shortages.
Regarding the progress of the recently sanctioned Government Homeopathy Medical College and Hospital in Kathua, the Health Department stated that 57 kanals and 1 marla of land has been transferred for its establishment at Village Rakh Hoshiyari, District Kathua.
A DPR amounting to Rs 5,477.80 lakh for the construction of an academic complex, an associated hospital, and hostels for boys and girls is under active consideration. Meanwhile, the construction of a boundary wall for demarcating the allotted land is in progress.
Until a dedicated campus is established, the infrastructure of GMC Kathua is being temporarily utilized for practical and classroom activities for homeopathy students, as per an MoU signed between the Principal of GMC Kathua and the Director of Ayush J&K for starting the first batch of the BHMS course.
In response to a query about the total number of health institutions/dispensaries functioning in the Jasrota constituency, the department stated that 35 health institutions/dispensaries are currently operational. Regarding the sanctioned strength for Government Medical College Kathua, Associated Hospital, and NHM, the department reported a total of 333 gazetted and 601 non-gazetted staff.
On the progress of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Barwal, the Health Department informed that 70% of the construction work has been completed, and work is ongoing.
Addressing a question on whether the government intends to adopt a policy for the regularization of NHM employees on the lines of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the department reiterated that NHM is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, and all service-related policies fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India (GoI).
NHM employees are engaged on a contractual basis for one year, with contract renewals subject to annual performance appraisals. Any policy decision regarding regularization or additional benefits must comply with GoI guidelines.
