Shortage of consultants in J&K, posts being referred for recruitment: Minister

*Reviews arrangements for Amarnath Yatra

Irfan Tramboo

SRINAGAR, June 16: The Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, today said that Jammu and Kashmir is facing a shortage of consultant doctors.
Speaking to reporters after reviewing arrangements for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra at Sonamarg, the Minister said the issue is being addressed, with several posts already referred to the recruitment board.
“We have a good number of MBBS doctors, but the real issue lies with the availability of consultants. For this, we have already referred consultant posts to the board,” she said.
Sakeena stated that since the formation of the Omar-led Government, several issues have been addressed-particularly the shortage of doctors in remote areas of J&K.
“In this regard, many doctors have been detached and sent back to fill the gaps. Additionally, 600 doctors have been appointed and deployed in remote areas,” she said.
She noted that gaps often arise when consultants leave for higher studies, creating vacancies. “The department is working to address this issue, and more steps will be taken in the coming days,” she added.
The Minister assured that adequate medical services will be provided during the Yatra, including the availability of specialists.
Regarding the Yatra preparations, she said medical arrangements for the annual Amarnath Yatra will be up to the mark and pilgrims will be facilitated at every point.
Speaking to ‘Excelsior’, she said all necessary arrangements have been made, including the availability of doctors and other essential facilities.
“Be it doctors, oxygen, medicines, or ambulances-arrangements will meet the required standards to ensure a seamless experience for the pilgrims,” she said.
She added that while doctors from the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, will remain available during the Yatra, services of doctors from outside the UT will also be utilized.
“This has been done in the past as well. States from which a higher number of pilgrims arrive will ensure the availability of their doctors for Yatra duties,” she said.
Earlier, chairing a high-level meeting of the Health Department officials, the Minister was briefed by the Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr. Jahangir Bakshi, about the overall medical strategy for smooth conduct of SANJY-2025.
He provided an overview of the healthcare arrangements being put in place along the Baltal route, which include deployment of medical staff, availability of life-saving medicines, ambulances, oxygen booths, and accommodation for healthcare personnel.
It was informed that 30 Medical Stations, comprising Base Hospitals, Medical Aid Camps, and Emergency Aid Centres, have been established at key locations along the Baltal axis.
Emphasizing the importance of readiness, the Health Minister directed the health authorities to ensure that all medical arrangements are in place well before the commencement of the Yatra. “There shall be no compromise on the safety and healthcare of the yatris,” she stated.
Later, the Minister visited the Baltal Base Camp Hospital, where she inspected the arrangements and interacted with the on-ground staff.
She directed officials to ensure round-the-clock availability of doctors, paramedical staff, and other healthcare professionals and emphasized that uninterrupted medical services must be ensured for the welfare of the pilgrims.

The post Shortage of consultants in J&K, posts being referred for recruitment: Minister appeared first on Daily Excelsior.

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