J&K faces 14% shortage of medicos, 22% paramedics

@MIR FARHAT

SRINAGAR: Hospitals and health centres in Jammu and Kashmir face shortage of human resource in the form of doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff as per the India Public Health Standards (IPHS) norms, even though the health indices are fairly better than northern counterparts of the state in the country.
As per IPHS, the state faces shortage of 14 per cent doctors, 22 percent in nurses and para-medical staff in hospitals and health centers, while the strength of staff in Blood Banks is quite dismal as only 10 posts have been filled so far.
Official records revealed that the availability of healthcare human resources at the State level, that is in 22 District Hospitals (DH) as per IPHS norms is 86 per cent for medical specialists and 78 per cent for nurses and para-medical staff.
"The position of staff in Blood Bank in DHs is worse as the sanctioned and effective strength as only 10 persons are available against the required 132 posts as per IPHS norms," reveals Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report which had audited the official records of Health and Medical Education Department till March 31, 2016.
"Only 54 percent medical specialists are available in 84 Community health Centres (CHCs)," the reports reveals.
The strength of nurses and paramedical staff was better with sanctioned strength of 2,757 and persons in position is 2512 (91 percent) against required 2100 posts o nurses and paramedical staff as per IPHS norms, the report says.
It says the Medical Officers (MBBS) position in Primary Health Centres (PHCs) is better against IPHS norms but there is a shortage of doctors against the sanctioned posts.
"Medical officers (MBBS) strength is better in PHCs as only 256 doctors are short against sanctioned posts. Only 1168 nurses and para Medical staff is short in PHCs against 4378 posts," the report says.
"Moreover, against 4378 posts of nurses and para medical staff in PHCs as per IPHS norms, only 3210 posts are filled, leaving a shortage of 1168 posts (27 per cent)," the report reveals.
In reply to the queries by the CAG, the department officials have said that the vacant posts have been referred to recruiting agencies.
As per the report, the staff strength in 22 DHS is, Medical officers is 374 with 24 vacancies (41 percent), 242 Medical officers (MBBS) with 33 vacancies, (28 percent), Medical Officers Ayush and Psychiatry 52, nurses and para medical 1672, with 151 (27 percent) vacancies.
In 84 CHCs, the Medical officers (Specialists) as per IPHS should be 504, while there is a vacancy of 11 posts, Medical officers, 168 with deficiency of 54, Medical Officers Ayush 84, Nurses and paramedical, 2100 with only 68 vacancies (11Percent).
In the 398 PHCs 398 Medical Officers should be posted as per IPHS with 73 posts vacant (26 percent), nurses and paramedical strength is 4378, with 94 vacancies. While in Sub Centers, the strength of ANM/ Health worker (Female) should be 2736 but there is vacancy of 285, and against 2736 Health Workers (Male), 1891 are available.
These posts are including regular and NRHM staff in all these hospitals and health centres.
Meanwhile, the CAG has also pointed out that as per IPHS, the health institutions also face shortage of accommodation to the staff, which is 91 percent, 93 and 94 in DHs, CHCs and 12 PHCs in Doda, Rajouri and Udhampur districts, respectively.
As per IPHS norms, a minimum of eight quarters should be available for doctors. Eight for staff nurses and paramedics, two quarters for ward boys and one quarter for driver should be provided in CHC, the report says.