Jammu, Aug 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Government is likely to advertise around 800 paramedical posts in December, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Masood Itoo said on Wednesday, as the administration moves to address manpower shortages in government hospitals.
Itoo said the government had taken up the recruitment issue with the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and that the proposed recruitment drive would strengthen the paramedical workforce across the Union Territory.
“Recruitment of around 800 paramedics is expected to begin in December,” Itoo told reporters after inaugurating a newly established CT Scan facility at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital in Jammu.
The minister said around 900 doctors have already been recruited, but stressed that expanding medical infrastructure must be accompanied by adequate manpower to ensure that newly created facilities are fully utilised and patients do not face unnecessary delays.
The new CT Scan facility at SMGS Hospital is expected to reduce the need for patients to be referred to other hospitals for diagnostic services.
“Now they won’t face any problems,” Itoo said, referring to patients who were previously being referred elsewhere because the facility was unavailable at the hospital.
She said the government was particularly focused on ensuring that economically weaker sections could access essential diagnostic and treatment services without having to depend on costly private facilities.
“There is no compromise on patient care and everyone must get proper treatment at the earliest,” she said.
MRI facility expected within three months
Itoo said an MRI facility is expected to become operational at SMGS Hospital within the next three months, with the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Corporation Limited (JKMCL) having initiated the process.
The minister said the government was working to decentralise advanced healthcare services across the Union Territory. Cath labs have already been established at several locations, while MRI facilities have been made available at multiple centres.
She also cited the expansion of dialysis services up to the community health centre level as part of efforts to bring essential treatment closer to patients, particularly those from economically weaker families.
Rs 5 crore released for hospital flyover
Itoo also announced that Rs 5 crore has been released for a flyover near SMGS Hospital, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving access to the hospital.
She said traffic delays could be particularly serious for patients requiring urgent medical attention and that the project would help improve movement around the hospital.
A newly constructed Academic Block at Chest Disease (CD) Hospital was also inaugurated during the programme, adding to the academic and healthcare infrastructure associated with Government Medical College Jammu.
Itoo said the government was simultaneously working on infrastructure expansion, diagnostic facilities and recruitment of medical and paramedical personnel to strengthen healthcare delivery.
She also called upon doctors and healthcare workers to maintain compassionate communication with patients and their attendants, while stressing that emergency services and patient needs must remain the foremost priority.
The programme was attended by Jammu West MLA Arvind Gupta, Jammu East MLA Yudhvir Sethi, senior officials of the Directorate of Health Services, Heads of Departments and faculty members of GMC Jammu, besides doctors, healthcare workers and students.
Gupta appreciated the improvements in GMC Jammu and its associated hospitals and assured support in addressing pending issues, particularly those related to manpower and funding.
Sethi also commended doctors, paramedics and other healthcare professionals for their role in strengthening medical services and infrastructure.
Principal and Dean, GMC Jammu, Dr Ashutosh Gupta, thanked the minister, elected representatives, officials, faculty members, doctors, staff and other stakeholders for their continued support to the institution.
