In Jammu, 184 of 259 health institutions without doctors

JAMMU: Indicating the sorry state of health services infrastructure in Jammu region, particularly in hilly areas, at least 184 of total 259 health institutions are running without doctors.

Taking cognigance of the matter as highlighted through a public interest litigation (PIL), a Division Bench of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court has asked the state government to furnish a status report within 4 weeks.

Details presented in the High Court said that against the sanctioned strength of 1993, only 1100 Doctors are serving. A total of 1022 posts are lying vacant while 129 Doctors are surplus, most of them serving in Jammu District.

The detailed analysis divulged that in Doda district, against the sanctioned strength of 211, only 65 doctors are in position, with 1 surplus and 147 vacant slots; in Kathua, against the sanctioned strength of 257, only 108 doctors are in position, with 3 surplus and 152 vacant slots; in Kishtwar, against the sanctioned strength of 94, only 41 doctors are in position, with 3 surplus and 56 vacant slots; in Poonch, against the sanctioned strength of 205, only 64 doctors are in position, with 141 vacant slots; in Rajouri, against the sanctioned strength of 248, only 102 doctors are in position, with 146 vacant slots.

Similarly, in Ramban, against the sanctioned strength of 118, only 43 doctors are in position, with 1 surplus and 76 vacant slots; in Reasi, against the sanctioned strength of 101, only 37 doctors are in position, with 2 surplus and 66 vacant slots; in Samba, against the sanctioned strength of 118, 103 doctors are in position, with 15 surplus and 30 vacant slots; in Udhampur, against the sanctioned strength of 187, only 80 doctors are in position, with 1 surplus and 108 vacant slots; and in Jammu district, against the sanctioned strength of 454, 457 doctors are in position, with 103 surplus and 100 vacant slots.

The court was told that most of the Consultants in the discipline of Gynae, Anesthesia, Orthopedics, Radiology, Pediatrician and Pathologist refrain from serving in the far flung areas and have established their lucrative private practice in Jammu City and most of the said Medical Officers/Consultants prefer to serve in the Health Institutions in Jammu District which is evident from the fact that 103 Doctors are surplus in Jammu District and are allowed to serve beyond the sanctioned strength and the said Doctors being politically connected are never sent outside Jammu District.

After considering the submissions in PIL, the Division Bench of the State High Court headed by Justice Tashi Rabstan issued notices to Chief Secretary J&K, Commissioner/Secretary to Government of J&K Health and Medical Education Department, Director Health Services Jammu and Secretary J&K Public Service Commission to file their response to the PIL returnable within four weeks.

Senior AAG Seema Shekhar accepted notice on behalf of the Chief Secretary J&K as the divisional bench granted four weeks time to all the respondents to file their response to the PIL.

The PIL in this regard was filed by one Balwinder Singh who sought seeking directions to the State Government to detach the additional/surplus staff posted in the various Health Institutions in Jammu City including Directorate of Health Services Jammu and was represented in the court by Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocate Suraj Singh.