Srinagar, Sep 25 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Thursday acknowledged a shortage of medical and paramedical staff in healthcare institutions across the Union Territory, stating that the extent of the deficiency varies from institution to institution depending on sanctioned strength, vacancies, functional requirements and patient-care needs.
The disclosure, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), was made by the Health and Medical Education Department in response to a question raised by Hazratbal MLA Salman Ali Sagar in the Legislative Assembly regarding shortages of doctors and other healthcare personnel in J&K.
In its reply, the government said manpower availability is being continuously monitored across healthcare institutions to ensure optimal utilisation of available resources and uninterrupted healthcare services.
It said that where shortages exist, medical and paramedical staff are being rationally deployed among institutions based on patient load, functional requirements, institutional needs, availability of specialised services and overall public health requirements.
Regarding Srinagar district, the government said healthcare services are functioning smoothly and that existing shortages are being supplemented through the deployment or engagement of personnel under the National Health Mission (NHM), wherever permissible.
It maintained that there has been no adverse impact on healthcare delivery in the district.
On shortages at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), including doctors, nurses and allied staff, the government said services at the institute continue to function smoothly. However, it acknowledged the need for optimal utilisation of the available workforce and said vacancies are being addressed through recruitment and other permissible arrangements to ensure continuity of patient-care services.
The government said vacant medical and paramedical posts across healthcare institutions in J&K are proposed to be filled on priority, subject to the availability of selection panels or recommendations from competent recruiting agencies.
It clarified that appointments would be made only against duly sanctioned posts and strictly in accordance with prescribed rules, procedures and existing government instructions—(KNO)