Ganderbal Medical Block Faces Over 50 Vacant Posts

SRINAGAR: More than 50 critical positions, including doctors and paramedics, remain unfilled in the Ganderbal Medical Block, leaving District Hospital Ganderbal severely understaffed.

The vacancies include Consultant Surgeons, Consultant Paediatricians, Medical Officers, Anaesthesia Assistants, X-ray Technicians, Pharmacists, Blood Bank Technicians, and support staff such as cleaners and drivers, as revealed by an RTI reply.

Despite ongoing recruitment efforts, only eight doctors and three paramedics have been appointed since 2019, while nine doctors and paramedics have retired in the last five years.

Adding to the crisis, some staff, including pharmacists and assistants, are attached to offices outside the medical block, further straining resources. Primary Health Centres (PHCs) in Shuhama, Chundina, and Tulmulla have two non-functional ambulances, exacerbating the situation.

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Locals have expressed frustration over doctors being stationed at the same location for 6-10 years, contradicting the government’s stated policy of strict transfers. Eleven Medical Officers have reportedly not been transferred for more than three years, and nine doctors, posted between 2014 and 2017, continue to work at District Hospital Ganderbal without relocation.

Residents are calling for an inquiry into alleged violations of the transfer policy and questioning why employees are attached to other departments despite claims of strict enforcement.

The report also highlights the absence of sanctioned gynaecologist posts in the block, except at the District Hospital, depriving rural areas of specialised care.

While construction projects aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure are underway, delays persist. For instance, The AAM SC Pandach construction was completed in 2024, The NTPHC Nunner project remains unfinished, with only 70 per cent of work completed due to funding shortages and Work on AAM SC Theeru, started in 2024, is ongoing.

Under the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) scheme, 1,830 patients benefited in 2023-24. Additionally, under the Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK), free transportation was provided to 42 patients, and 2,028 antenatal care (ANC) patients received free diagnostic services. (KNO)