Srinagar, Feb 05 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthen the healthcare system by ensuring adequate availability of doctors, specialists, nurses and paramedical staff across the Union Territory.
Acknowledging that human resources form the backbone of efficient and quality health services, the Health and Medical Education Department has initiated a large-scale recruitment drive to address staff shortages in government health institutions.
Replying to a question of MLA, G A Mir, Health Minister, Sakina Itoo stated: “The Government recognizes importance of availability of doctors, specialists, nurses and paramedical staff for efficient and proper health delivery services.”
"The Department recently referred 480 posts of Medical Officers to the J&K Public Service Commission for recruitment. After completion of the selection process, the newly selected doctors shall be posted to far-flung/under-served areas and health institutions facing shortage of staff, as per requirement and policy in vogue,” she said, adding, “Further, the 292 vacancies in the non-gazetted/paramedical category from the Directorate of Family Welfare, Maternity and Child Health (MCH), and Immunization have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board for recruitment, which stands advertised by the JKSSB for making selection of suitable candidates. Also 290 vacancies in the non-gazetted/paramedical category from the Directorate of Health Services Jammu have also been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (J&K SSB) for recruitment. Besides 608 posts of Directorate of Health Services, Jammu are also in the process of referral to JKSSB for recruitment, after having concurrence of Finance Department," she said.
The Minister added that 802 non-gazetted, MTS vacancies and Sanitation Worker posts pertaining to Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir are under examination in the department for further referral to JKSSB. These posts shall be referred after having concurrence of Finance Department
"Contractual recruitment of doctors and paramedical staff is already being undertaken under the National Health Mission, J&K, which provides a policy-approved mechanism to address manpower shortages at district and block levels, especially in far-flung and under-served areas," she added.
"Recruitment at constituency or district level outside the NHM framework is not feasible, as appointments to public posts must be made strictly in accordance with prescribed recruitment rules and statutory procedures. Any parallel arrangement may lead to administrative and legal complications," she said adding that the Department continues to fill regular posts through constitutional recruiting agencies, while immediate gaps are bridged through NHM contractual engagements, ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services—(KNO)