582 posts of para-medical staff referred to JKSSB: Sakina

GMC Baramulla operating against NMC norms

Make MDs from outside to serve in J&K: Pathania

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 17: While the Govt Medical College Baramulla is operating in violation of NMC norms/guidelines, the Government has referred 582 posts of Non-gazetted/Para-medical category to the J&K Services Selection Board.

Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Itoo, while responding to the question of BJP MLA Baldev Sharma, raised by R S Pathania (MLA, Udhampur) in the House disclosed that a total 582 posts of Para-medical / Non-gazetted employees have been referred to the J&K Services Selection Board and these posts will be filled up shortly.
Itoo further said that 292 vacancies in the non-gazetted cadre/ para-medical category from the Directorate of Family Welfare, Maternity and Child Health (MCH) and Immunization and 290 posts in respect of Directorate of Health Services Jammu, have also been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (J&K SSB) for recruitment. This will significantly strengthen and improve the healthcare system, she added.
In response to the supplementary of Pathania, with regard to enacting a policy making MDs from outside undergoing training in J&K Medical Colleges to serve here for at least 3 to 5 years for the benefit of the locals, the Minister assured that Government will try to consider the suggestion and come up with the policy making MDs specially from outside to serve here as Government is spending huge money on their Medical courses. He also stressed for removal of binding of 5 years service on local medicos for undergoing higher course/MD.
She further disclosed that 39 Health institutions are functioning in Mata Vaishno Devi (SMVD) constituency besides Narayana Super Specialty Hospital is providing advanced healthcare facilities to locals in the constituency.
The Minister further informed that one CHC, two PHCs, five NTPHCs and 31 Sub Centres are functional in SMVD Constituency adding that Bhomag area falls under Block Medical Officer Reasi and there is no such sanctioned post of BMO Bhomag. And no such office building for the office of BMO is being constructed at Bhomag, she added.
Sakina claimed that a Sub Centre at Kothroo and Kroonkote is under construction under District Capex budget besides CHC Katra is functioning as 30-bedded SDH with 5 specialties and additional specialized services of Sinologist and Orthopaedics. She said that as per the IPHS standard, there is no provision of any specialist doctor for PHCs, adding that PHC Tote is operational and adequately staffed with both Medical and Paramedical staff.
While giving details regarding filling up of vacancies in Health Department, the Minister said the Health department appointed 365 Medical Officers and posted them in far-flung/peripheral health institutes across J&K for strengthening the healthcare facilities at grassroots level in the month of November, 2024. She informed that the department is also in process of operating waitlist in respect of 91 selectee Medical Officers, whose services will also be utilized in the underserved areas across the J&K.
The Minister added that 181 posts of Medical Officers are about to be received from Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission, which will significantly reduce the staff shortages in various Health institutions.
Regarding up- gradation of CHC Katra to SDH or ADH, the Minister said that upgradation of any health institute will be taken under IPHC norms, if needed.
Regarding staff position in healthcare institutions in SMVD constituency, the Minister said that against 184 (Medical and Paramedical) sanctioned posts, 107 have been filled up while additional NHM staff of 105 (Medical and Paramedical) has been posted in the SMVD constituency.
While responding to yet another question of Javid Hussain Baig, the Minister admitted that as per NMC norms/ guidelines, the total bed strength in the Associated Hospital of MBBS College with 100 seats should be 500, however, at Associated Hospital, GMC Baramulla has 300 beds.
She said at least in five departments of the 100 MBBS seats GMC, should have total 350 beds and 14 units. As per NMC norms there should be total faculty strength of 254 including 23 Professors, 32 Associate Professors, 49 Assistant Professors, 78 Senior Residents, 58 Junior Residents, 12 Casualty Medical Officers besides others.
The Minister in response to another question said that there are 26 ICU beds available in GMC Baramulla but they are yet to be made functional.