Healthcare Crisis in J&K: Nearly 3,000 Vacant Positions Put Medical Services at Risk

The healthcare sector in Jammu is grappling with a severe staff shortage, with approximately 2,999 posts for doctors and paramedics lying vacant across ten districts. This alarming gap in manpower is affecting medical services in key areas, excluding Government Medical Colleges (GMCs).
District-wise data reveals critical shortages, with Jammu having 127 vacant medical positions and 522 unfilled paramedical posts. Other districts, including Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, and Udhampur, are facing similar challenges. Additionally, GMC Kathua alone has 131 vacant positions, including crucial roles like professors, associate professors, and paramedics.
In response to this crisis, the government has recently appointed 365 medical officers, with 13 deployed in Kathua. Furthermore, 53 doctors and 583 paramedics have been engaged under the National Health Mission (NHM) to ease the burden. The administration is also processing a waitlist for 91 selected medical officers, with an additional 181 posts still awaiting clearance from the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC).
While these measures aim to bridge the gap, the shortage remains a pressing concern, especially in underserved areas. The need for a long-term recruitment strategy and better workforce planning is evident to prevent such crises in the future.
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