Recruitment, infrastructure top priorities
Over 1,800 vacant posts to be filled
Focus on digital health, new facilities
Srinagar, Apr 04: Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo on Saturday informed the Legislative Assembly that the J&K Government has rolled out a comprehensive and multi-pronged strategy to strengthen the healthcare sector across the Union Territory.
While replying to a question raised by MLA Sunil Bhardwaj, the Minister as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that since assuming office, the government has prioritized expansion and upgradation of healthcare infrastructure, alongside strengthening human resources and public health initiatives.
“The plan includes enhancement of hospital facilities across districts, expansion of infrastructure in newly established medical colleges, and capacity building in nursing institutions to improve training standards,” she said, adding, “To address manpower shortages, the government has accelerated recruitment processes. Over 480 posts of Medical Officers have already been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, while contractual engagements under the National Health Mission (NHM) and academic arrangements are being utilized to meet immediate requirements.”
Itoo said that digital health services such as e-Sanjeevani teleconsultation are being expanded and aligned with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to improve access, particularly in remote areas. Public health efforts are also being intensified, with targeted interventions aimed at tuberculosis elimination by 2025 and strengthened immunization coverage under Mission Indradhanush.
SHORTAGES OF MEDICAL, PARAMEDICAL STAFF STILL PERSISTS
Despite these initiatives, the Minister acknowledged that shortages of medical and paramedical staff persist in certain institutions. She attributed this to a limited pool of specialists in critical disciplines, procedural delays in recruitment, migration of skilled professionals, and reluctance among staff to serve in remote and difficult areas.
To overcome these challenges, the government is implementing policy measures including hardship allowances, incentives for rural postings, fast-track recruitment, and rationalization of existing manpower. Capacity building is also being undertaken through the establishment of new medical colleges and paramedical institutions.
Providing details, the Minister said that 834 gazetted posts have been referred to the J&K Public Service Commission and 1,025 non-gazetted posts to the J&K Services Selection Board. Additionally, 802 non-gazetted posts in the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir and 608 in Jammu are under consideration and will be referred shortly, subject to financial concurrence.
The government has also filled a majority of vacant positions in Government Medical Colleges on a temporary basis under academic arrangements as per S.O 364 of 2020 to ensure continuity in patient care and academic activities.
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ALL GMCS, ASSOCIATED HOSPITALS HELD
On infrastructure, Itoo said that a comprehensive review of all Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and associated hospitals has been conducted. While several institutions meet existing academic and clinical standards, newly established colleges face deficiencies in areas such as hostel accommodation, laboratories, diagnostic facilities, and specialized equipment.
She said that these gaps are being addressed through centrally sponsored schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) and the National Health Mission, along with UT-funded projects. Construction of additional teaching blocks, expansion of hospital infrastructure, and procurement of modern medical equipment are already underway, with strict timelines set for completion.
Major infrastructure projects include the development of academic and patient care blocks at Government Medical Colleges in Srinagar, Rajouri, Baramulla, and Kathua, as well as critical care and laboratory blocks at SKIMS Bemina. Equipment upgrades are also in progress, with GMC Srinagar alone adding medical equipment worth around Rs 10 crore annually, while other institutions are acquiring advanced diagnostic tools such as CT scans and high-end ultrasonography systems.
The Minister further said that patient-centric reforms, including triage systems, online registration, improved sanitation, and expansion of telemedicine and dialysis services, are being implemented to enhance healthcare delivery.
The Directorate of AYUSH is also upgrading its facilities under the National AYUSH Mission by converting dispensaries into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and establishing integrated AYUSH hospitals, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Looking ahead, the government plans to introduce advanced healthcare services across the UT. These include robotic surgery facilities at GMC Srinagar and GMC Jammu, establishment of dental units in all GMCs in a phased manner, and setting up of new cath labs at GMC Baramulla and GMC Doda to strengthen cardiac care.
Additionally, PET scan facilities are proposed to be extended to all remaining GMCs by 2026-27, while dialysis services will be expanded to all Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs). The government also plans to deploy 50 AI-enabled X-ray machines across district and sub-district hospitals to improve diagnostic efficiency.
Infrastructure upgrades such as restoration of lifts, oxygen plants, toilets, and ramps are also being undertaken to enhance patient safety and accessibility. Under the PM-ABHIM scheme, 13 critical care blocks, 111 Block Public Health Units, and 10 District Public Health Laboratories are set to be completed this year.
The Minister said that research initiatives focusing on cancer prevalence in horticulture-intensive areas will be undertaken through SKIMS Soura and GMC Jammu to support targeted interventions. Efforts are also being made to strengthen the nursing workforce by expanding manpower in nursing colleges across the UT.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Itoo said that sustained interventions under central and UT funding mechanisms will ensure that all medical colleges and healthcare institutions in Jammu and Kashmir are brought at par with national standards, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare for all. (KNO)
