J&K Govt admits shortage of medical, paramedical staff in healthcare institutions
KINS Desk
Srinagar Sep 25 (KINS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has acknowledged that there is a shortage of medical and paramedical staff in certain healthcare institutions across the Union Territory.
The admission was made by the Health and Medical Education Department in response to a question raised by MLA Hazratbal Salman Ali Sagar regarding the shortage of doctors.
The department stated that the extent of the shortage varies from institution to institution depending on the sanctioned strength, existing vacancies, functional requirements and service delivery needs.
It said the manpower position across healthcare institutions is being continuously monitored to ensure optimum utilisation of available human resources and uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services.
“Wherever required, the available Medical/Paramedical manpower is rationally deployed and adjusted among healthcare institutions,” the department said, adding that patient load, functional requirements, institutional needs, availability of specialised services and overall public health requirements are taken into consideration.
Regarding healthcare facilities in Srinagar district, the government said all health services in J&K are presently functioning smoothly. It said shortages, wherever existing, are being supplemented through deployment or engagement of staff under the National Health Mission (NHM), as permissible.
The department claimed that consequently there was no adverse impact on the delivery of healthcare services in Srinagar district.
On the functioning of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), the government said health services were running smoothly at present. It, however, acknowledged vacancies and said available manpower was being utilised optimally.
“Vacancies are being addressed through recruitment and permissible alternative arrangements to ensure continuity of patient-care services,” the department said. (KINS)
