NAVVNEET DUBEY
Jammu: The High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has taken a strong exception to the authorities’ failure to address acute shortage of doctors and paramedical staff in the Union Territory. Hearing PIL Nos. 2/2018 and 37/2013 relating to deficiencies in healthcare infrastructure, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Rajnesh Oswal directed the Government to file a comprehensive affidavit with a definite, time-bound plan to fill 6,775 vacant posts. The Bench underlined that shortage of medical manpower strikes at the root of healthcare delivery and implicates the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The Court directed the Principal Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, to spell out the timeline for filling 714 posts of Medical Officers in Directorate of Health Services, Jammu and 70 posts in Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, besides 5,991 paramedical posts – 3,247 in Jammu Division and 2,744 in Kashmir Division. District-wise vacancy details have also been sought. As per status report, against 2,859 sanctioned posts of Medical Officers, only 2,019 are in position, leaving 784 vacant. Against 18,745 sanctioned paramedical posts, only 12,754 are filled and 5,991 lie vacant. Of consultants, 621 are available against 884 sanctioned.
Senior AAG Monika Kohli, assisted by Advocate Malvika Gupta, submitted that about 3,200 additional beds will be added by March 2027 through Critical Care Blocks, GMC expansions, SKIMS Medical College Bemina and hospitals in Srinagar, Budgam and Rajouri. Work on 17 Critical Care Blocks under PM-ABHIM and ECRP-II is being expedited and diagnostics like Cath Labs, CT, MRI, AI-based radiology, Tele-ICU and Tele-Radiology are being strengthened.
Cath Labs are functional at GMC Jammu and Anantnag and are being set up at Baramulla, Rajouri and Doda, the Government said. On transplants, 357 corneal and 502 renal transplants have been done. The Bench, however, sought a specific roadmap for liver transplantation.
The Court also asked for progress on DPR for a flyover for safe access to medical facilities in Jammu, details of Dental Surgeon vacancies, timelines for cancer care, dialysis, HPV and cervical cancer services and AI-based X-ray systems, and a report on 3,168 Health and Wellness Centres. Terming the handling of staffing issues a matter of grave concern, the Bench directed the affidavit before next hearing. Amicus Curiae Advocate S.S. Ahmed with Advocate Amritaash Sharma appeared for petitioners. The matter is listed on November 25, 2026.
Earlier in the recently concluded assembly session, the government has admitted that the health sector has 12,614 vacant medical and paramedical posts, including 2,891 doctor and 9,723 nursing and paramedical vacancies.
Meanwhile, today Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department has posted 306 newly appointed Medical Officers (Allopathic) against various posts, with immediate effect. According to Government Order No. 762-JK(HME) of 2026, the department had issued appointment orders to 335 candidates on September 2, 2026. Of these, 306 submitted their joining reports within the stipulated 21-day period, while 29 failed to join within the prescribed time.
