Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: The Government has created a total 1764 posts of doctors in Super Specialty Hospitals in Jammu and Srinagar while efforts are going on to bring back the doctors of the State who have gone outside.
While responding to the joint question of Ajatshatru Singh and Dharambir Singh and the series of supplementaries of other members in the Legislative Council today, Minister in-charge Medical Education Taj Mohi-ud-Din said that nearly 1764 posts of doctors have been created for the two Super Specialty Hospitals in Srinagar and Jammu. He said a total 819 posts have been created for Super Specialty Hospital Jammu which includes 70 posts of Specialists besides others. For Super Specialty Hospital Srinagar 945 posts stand created which include 100 posts of Specialists. The posts have been referred to J&K Public Service Commission.
Replying to another question, the Minister said the Government will try to get senior specialists from outside but the State is unable to pay such high salaries they are getting outside. Even then some arrangement will be done to improve the faculty. He said the Government is trying to rope in the senior doctors hailing from State now working outside. In this concern, the dialogue has been initiated with some of the top doctors as well.
Besides this, the posts of doctors falling under promotion quota are being filled up by making promotions from the eligible feeding cadre and for this some amendments in rules are also being made. Mr Taj also disclosed that under SRO 384, both the Principals of GMC Jammu and Srinagar have been authorized to engage staff on academic arrangement basis. Besides, selection list of 16 posts of Specialists for Jammu SSH and 13 posts of Specialists for SSH Srinagar have been received by the department.
Responding to another question, the Minister said Super Specialty Hospital Jammu will be made functional shortly. The recruitment process has already begun while shifting of some departments from GMC to new Super Specialty Hospital complex has commenced. He said some equipment has to be provided by the Union Government while order has been placed for some costly machinery for the hospital.
Mr Taj further said to cope –up with the increasing patient load in GMC Jammu and Srinagar hospitals, the facilities have been strengthened and up-graded by way of providing additional infrastructure and latest equipment. He said it is general psyche of the people that even for minor ailments they rush to Jammu or Srinagar hospitals from the districts. This problem has over burdened these hospitals. But it was not his domain to interfere as matter pertains to Health Department. He maintained that there was no proposal at present to open Super Specialty Hospitals at district headquarters in the State.
Several members including Dr B A Veeri, Khalid Najeeb Suhrawardy, Devinder Singh Rana, Ghulam Nabi Monga and Muzaffar Parray raised supplementaries.