Srinagar, Jan 07 (KNO): Nursing aspirants from across Jammu and Kashmir have put forward their demand for the immediate advertisement and filling of long-pending nursing vacancies in government hospitals.
Aspirants while talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said, “The delay has severely impacted both the healthcare system and the future of thousands of qualified nurses.”
The aspirants said that they have submitted a detailed representation to Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo, seeking her urgent intervention to address “unjustified and prolonged silence” over nursing recruitment in the Union Territory.
The representation reads: “No major recruitment drive for nursing posts has been conducted since 2021, despite the existence of thousands of vacancies in district hospitals, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and newly established medical colleges.”
"It is with deep pain and disappointment that we bring to your notice the prolonged delay in nursing recruitment. Since 2021, no substantial steps have been taken to fill vacant posts, while hospitals continue to function with acute staff shortages,” it states.
“The shortage of nursing staff has put immense pressure on the existing workforce, adversely affecting patient care and overburdening the limited staff currently in service. The healthcare system in Jammu and Kashmir is already under severe strain. Hospitals are forced to operate with inadequate manpower, compromising the quality of care provided to patients, especially in rural and far-flung areas,” the representation added.
The aspirants pointed out that while the government has invested heavily in infrastructure by establishing new medical colleges and upgrading health facilities, the lack of nursing staff has undermined the purpose of these initiatives.
"What is the use of new hospitals and medical colleges if there are no nurses to run wards, emergency units, ICUs and operation theatres efficiently?” aspirants asked.
Highlighting their personal hardships, the aspirants said that thousands of qualified and registered nurses remain unemployed, despite completing rigorous training and meeting all professional requirements.
"We are educated, trained, and registered, yet we are sitting idle for years. This uncertainty has pushed many of us into mental distress, financial hardship and hopelessness,” they said.
The nursing aspirants described the delay as particularly distressing for women candidates, for whom nursing is a primary professional avenue.
"Many of us come from modest backgrounds. Our families invested their savings in our education with the hope that we would secure government jobs. The prolonged delay has shattered those dreams,” said an aspirant from South Kashmir.
The aspirants said they view Health Minister Sakina Itoo as their “only hope,” citing her past advocacy for youth, women and marginalized sections.
They specifically demanded the immediate advertisement of all vacant nursing posts across Jammu and Kashmir, A transparent and time-bound recruitment process, Regularization of recruitment cycles to prevent future backlogs and adequate staffing of new and existing health institutions
The aspirants warned that if the issue continues to be ignored, it could further weaken the public healthcare system and deepen unemployment among trained healthcare professionals.
Meanwhile, the aspirants expressed hope that the Health Minister would take swift action to end years of uncertainty and ensure that the healthcare system is strengthened through adequate nursing manpower—(KNO)