Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has informed the High Court of J&K and Ladakh that 21,433 posts in the Health and Medical Education Department remain vacant, even as recruitment to fill the manpower gaps has been put on a fast-track basis.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Dr Pushpendra Singh Bhati and Justice Yash Paul Bourney was hearing CPPIL No. 3/2017, a suo motu public interest litigation concerning vacancies of doctors and allied staff, availability of PET Scan machines, shortage of oncologists and recruitment of medical specialists.
The Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, appearing through video conferencing, informed the Court that the recruitment process had been accelerated and efforts were underway to bridge the manpower shortage.
The Government assured the Bench that filling vacant posts would continue to remain a priority.
On PET Scan facilities, the Court was informed that around five PET Scan machines are currently operational in J&K, with patients facing a waiting period of approximately one week. The Government submitted that the waiting period at AIIMS Delhi could extend to around a month.
The shortage of oncologists also came under discussion, with the Government stating that recruitment remained difficult despite opening opportunities to specialists from across the country, as suitable candidates were not applying in sufficient numbers.
The Court was further informed that an arrangement had been worked out with the Tata Institute of Cancer, Mumbai, under which selected specialists from J&K would undergo training to strengthen cancer-care services.
The Commissioner also submitted that some appointments had been made on a contractual basis and that recruitment policies would continue to be reviewed to attract qualified medical professionals.
Senior AAG Monika Kohli, assisted by Mandeep Kour, informed the Court that an affidavit had been filed and would be placed on record. Senior Advocate Ajay Sharma, appearing as Amicus Curiae along with Advocate Naveed Naik, was asked to examine the affidavit and respond.
The matter has been listed for further consideration on September 29, while the personal appearance of the authorities has been exempted.
