Srinagar, Mar 24 (KNO): The government said on Monday that there are 110 vacant posts for doctors and paramedics in the Ramgarh constituency of the Jammu division.
Responding to a query from MLA Dr Sunil Bhardwaj, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakina Itoo, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that in the Ramnagar constituency, out of 252 sanctioned posts for doctors, paramedics, and non-gazetted staff, 142 have been filled.
"An additional 101 staff, including doctors and paramedics, have been deployed under the National Health Mission to improve healthcare in remote areas. Of the 365 newly appointed medical officers, 17 were posted in Udhampur. The selection process for 181 medical officer posts is still underway with the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC). Once selections are made, the newly appointed doctors will be assigned to health institutions experiencing severe staff shortages," she said.
Itoo added, "In the Ramnagar constituency, 51 health institutions have been sanctioned, with 19 located in government buildings, 29 in rented accommodations, and 3 in other departmental buildings. Efforts to improve infrastructure include the construction and repair of nine institutes, six of which have been completed, and three are ongoing. Additionally, initiatives like e-Sanjeevni, Tele-radiology, Tele-Manas, and the implementation of National Health Mission schemes, including Pradhan Mantri-ABHIM and PMJAY-SEHAT, are strengthening healthcare services for residents."
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's 2023 report, Jammu and Kashmir, with 554 NTPHCS, ranks among the highest in health institution density in the country, the minister said, adding that the region is working on consolidating existing health facilities, with over 4,200 institutions across primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
"The creation and upgrading of health institutions will follow the IPHS-2022 guidelines, which serve as benchmarks for developing or upgrading health facilities," she added—(KNO)