Cross-border shelling brings staff shortage in govt hospitals to fore
The recent India-Pakistan conflict, which claimed over 25 lives and left many injured, has exposed the severe staff shortage in government hospitals across remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) that came under heavy shelling.
One of the worst-affected areas was Poonch district, which recorded the highest number of casualties and injuries, including those of minors, in the Pakistani shelling. Several residents complained about the lack of adequate health facilities nearby, resulting in patients being referred to Jammu and other distant hospitals.
Despite the Health Department cancelling the leave of doctors and paramedical staff and placing them on high alert, the crisis underlined the chronic shortage of manpower. The department currently faces a shortfall of nearly 16,000 personnel, including doctors.
During the Budget session in March in Jammu, Health Minister Sakina Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly that around 16,000 posts of doctors and paramedics were vacant in the Health Department across both regions of J&K.
In response to a question raised by BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma, Itoo stated that these vacancies include gazetted and non-gazetted doctors. The unfilled posts span across various divisions such as Ayush, the National Health Mission and Government Medical Colleges (GMCs). She maintained, however, that the hospitals and colleges were “working smoothly.”
Interestingly, National Conference (NC) MLA from Poonch, Ajaz Jan, had drawn attention to the “grave healthcare crisis” in Rajouri and Poonch during the Assembly session. He pointed out that GMC Rajouri, a vital health facility for the entire Pir Panjal region including Poonch, suffered from a severe staff shortage.
“The situation is equally alarming in District Hospital Poonch and several sub-hospitals, including PHCs in Mandi, Sawjian, Loran, Mangnar, Bandichachia, Degwar Terwa, Ajote, Khanater, Bedar, Nangali and Pleara, which are facing an acute shortage of doctors,” he had said.
Several areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch were hit by intense Pakistani shelling, with many locals injured by splinters. Those with serious injuries had to be referred to GMC Jammu for treatment.
In February this year, a Division Bench of the J&K and Ladakh High Court, while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), expressed concern over the acute shortage of doctors and paramedics in government hospitals across the Union Territory.
The court had also noted the growing trend of doctors posted in rural areas being transferred or attached to urban centres, aggravating the healthcare deficit in remote regions.
