Srinagar, Feb 8: The only tertiary care centre in north Kashmir, Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla is facing acute shortage of doctors, senior consultants besides the other supporting staff.
As per the official figures, the associated hospital of the GMC Baramulla has 50 percent positions vacant, speaking volumes about the government priority to strengthen the healthcare system in the frontier district. The hospital is facing dearth of staff despite catering to all the north Kashmir districts and witnessing huge footfall of patients throughout the year.As per the official figures, out of 228 positions only 114 posts of doctors, consultants and other supporting staff have been filled while rest of the 114 posts are unfilled till date.
These positions include senior consultant surgery, senior consultant Medicine, consultant Ophthalmology, Consultant medicine, consultant surgery, consultant Orthopedics, consultant radiology.
Out of three posts of Gynae and Obstetrics, only two posts have been filled while one post is lying vacant till date. Also, one post of Anesthesiology is also lying vacant in the hospital.
As per the official figures, other key positions are also lying vacant in the hospital. The hospital has six positions of anesthesia assistants and all the posts are lying vacant. The details have been shared by the authorities at the GMC Baramulla in reply to an RTI application filed by MM Shuja.
Besides the vacancies in Associated hospital, some key positions are also lying vacant at GMC Baramulla as well. As per the official figures, out of 808 sanctioned strength only 550 positions have been filled while 258 posts are unfilled till date.
As per the official figures, 11 out of 49 positions of Assistant professors are unfilled at the GMC Baramulla besides six positions of Associate professors and nine positions of Professors are also lying vacant as well.The post of Deputy director planning and Assistant Director Planning are also lying vacant. Moreover, the two positions of Tuberculosis and Chest Disease health visitor are also lying vacant at GMC Baramulla.Principal GMC Baramulla Dr Majid Jehangir when contacted, said the matter was already taken up with the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department a month ago.
“We have written to the government about the issue. These positions are referred to go JKPSC to fill them on a permanent basis while the temporary academic arrangements are recruited by the H&ME department,” he said.
