Srinagar, Feb 03 (KNO): More than half of the sanctioned posts at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Kashmir's premier tertiary care hospital, are lying vacant, exposing deep cracks in the region's healthcare system and triggering widespread public concern.
According to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), there are 4,093 sanctioned posts for SKIMS, of which only 1,993 are filled, while 2,100 remain vacant. Among 237 sanctioned faculty positions, 164 are filled, and 130 are vacant. Similarly, out of 237 gazetted sanctioned posts, 32 are filled, and 205 are vacant.
Among 3,562 sanctioned non-gazetted posts, 1,393 are filled, and 1,765 are vacant. Additionally, 404 outsourced posts are in position.
SKIMS, which caters not only to Kashmir but also to parts of Jammu, is considered the backbone of advanced medical care in the valley. However, the massive staff shortage, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, technicians, and support staff, has raised serious questions about the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of healthcare delivery at the institute.
"This is the biggest hospital of J&K, and if it is functioning with such shortages, one can only imagine the situation in district hospitals, sub-district hospitals, and primary health centres," said a senior doctor who wished not to be named.
Patients and attendants complained that staff shortages are leading to long waiting periods, delays in diagnostic procedures, and difficulties in accessing specialised care. They urged the government to fill all positions immediately so that patients do not suffer at any cost.
They said that people have high hopes associated with SKIMS, as over the past few decades, it has emerged as J&K's main and most trustworthy hospital. However, if staff shortages continue, it will not be able to perform as effectively as before, they added.
The attendants further said that SKIMS was previously an autonomous body, but it now functions under the Health Department of J&K. "The Lieutenant Governor (LG), who is the chairman of the hospital's governing body, must take steps to fill all vacancies and address infrastructural gaps to prevent patient suffering at any cost," they urged—(KNO)