Jammu: A total of 160 posts, including 15 doctor positions, are vacant at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital in Jammu, according to a Right to Information report.
According to the report sought by RTI activist MM Shuja, there is a shortage of staff which is affecting the hospital functionalities.
The vacant positions include 15 doctors, 88 paramedical staff, and 38 nursing staff.
The report also reveals concerning statistics on patient mortality rates, with notable spikes in the pediatric department.
Moreover, there's a shortage of ventilators, particularly evident in the Pediatrics ICU, despite an increasing number of patients benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat Golden Health Card.
The RTI details also provide alarming statistics on patient deaths over the past few years: 2019: 996 deaths, 2020: 612 deaths, 2021: 603 deaths, 2022: 589 deaths, 2023: 824 deaths, and 2024 (until March): 200 deaths.
The pediatric department reported the highest number of deaths: 2019: 964 deaths, 2020: 572 deaths, 2021: 573 deaths, 2022: 562 deaths, 2023: 799 deaths, and 2024 (so far): 190 deaths.
Regarding medical equipment, the RTI reveals there are 30 ventilators in Obstetrics & Gynecology Department. Among these, 17 are in Recovery Ward ICU and 13 in Maternal ICU.
(KNO)