Shopian Health Institutions Face 166 Vacancies, Including 22 Doctor Posts: Govt

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government informed the Assembly that 22 doctor posts and 144 paramedical and other staff posts are vacant in health institutions across Shopian district, while Kulgam has 27 vacant doctor posts and 222 vacancies among paramedical and other staff.

The information, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), was shared by the Health and Medical Education Department in a written reply to a starred question by MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay regarding the staffing position at District Hospital Shopian and its upgradation.

The government said SDH Shopian was upgraded to a District Hospital in December 2018 under Government Order No. 715-HME of 2018, with 39 posts created, including those of Medical Superintendent, specialists, doctors, dental surgeons, paramedical and support staff.

It said SDH Kulgam had been upgraded earlier in April 2010 under Government Order No. 235-HME of 2010, with 48 posts sanctioned. Responding to concerns over disparity in specialist and technical posts, the department said both hospitals were upgraded under separate orders issued at different points in time.

According to the reply, Shopian has 108 sanctioned doctor posts, of which 86 are filled and 22 vacant. Of 337 sanctioned paramedical and other staff posts, 193 are occupied, leaving 144 vacant. All nine sanctioned administrative doctor posts are filled.

In Kulgam, 214 doctor posts have been sanctioned, with 187 filled and 27 vacant. Of 618 sanctioned paramedical and other staff posts, 396 are filled while 222 remain vacant. All eight sanctioned administrative doctor posts are occupied.

The government also said District Hospital Shopian has sanctioned posts for specialists in surgery, medicine, gynaecology, ophthalmology, paediatrics, orthopaedics, anaesthesia, psychiatry and ENT, besides medical officers, dental surgeons and paramedical staff.

Out of 130 sanctioned posts at the hospital, 89 are filled and 41 vacant, including posts of senior consultant surgeon, consultant gynaecologist and consultant anaesthetist, among others—(KNO)