Srinagar, Mar 10 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday announced that it is in the process of operating a waiting list of 91 selected medical officers to utilise their services across the Union Territory.
Responding to a query from MLA Dr Narinder Singh, Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo said that Sub District Hospital (SDH) R.S. Pura is catering to two constituencies, R S Pura and Suchetgarh. The hospital operates 24x7, providing diagnostic and testing services, including X-ray and ultrasound facilities.
"Out of 14 sanctioned posts of doctors, 13 positions are currently filled. Similarly, for non-gazetted posts, out of 68 sanctioned positions, 49 are occupied," she said, as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
Regarding NTPHC Gadigarh, Itoo said two posts for Medical Officers were sanctioned under Government Order No. 938-JK(HME) of 2020, dated 31.12.2020. Presently, one Medical Officer is posted there, while four out of five sanctioned paramedical posts are filled.
The minister further informed that 91 selected Medical Officers will be deployed in underserved areas across J&K. She said 181 Medical Officer posts are awaiting selection from the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). "Once the selections are finalised, the doctors will be posted to health institutions experiencing staff shortages," she assured.
Itoo added that 292 non-gazetted and paramedical category vacancies from the Directorate of Family Welfare, Maternity and Child Health (MCH), and Immunization have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) for recruitment. This recruitment drive is expected to significantly strengthen the healthcare system.
Responding to another query from MLA Thakur Randhir Singh, the minister said that health institutions in rural areas are functioning smoothly, with staffing issues being addressed through supplementary recruitment under the National Health Mission (NHM).
"In Kalakote and Sunderbani constituencies, 41 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (previously known as Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres) are operational under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, with five additional facilities under consideration for the financial year 2025-26," she informed.
The Health Minister further said that continuous recruitment of medical staff is being carried out through JKPSC and JKSSB. In November 2024, 365 Medical Officers were appointed under J&K Health and Family Welfare (Gazetted) Services and have been posted to peripheral health institutes to strengthen grassroots medical care.
"In Sunderbani and Kalakote blocks of Rajouri district, two public hospitals, SDH Sunderbani and CHC Kalakote, have been empanelled under the AB-PMJAY/SEHAT Scheme," Itoo said, adding. "In the private sector, SSDM Hospital Sunderbani is also empanelled under the same scheme, further improving access to affordable healthcare in the region."—(KNO)