Srinagar, Sep 21: The Government has acknowledged that some healthcare institutions in Karnah may be functioning without doctors, while stating that necessary arrangements have been made to ensure continuity of healthcare services in the remote and difficult area.
This was stated in response to a written reply to a starred question raised by Javaid Ahmad Mirchal, MLA Karnah, regarding whether PHCs at Teetwal, Chiterkote and Panzgam and NTPHCs at Gundishart, Kandi and Nachiyan are without doctors and paramedical staff.
The Government said it is committed to providing adequate manpower and requisite healthcare facilities, particularly in remote and difficult areas.
The House was informed that while there may be a few institutions without doctors, necessary arrangements are being made through internal deployments to ensure uninterrupted healthcare services.
It further stated that AYUSH doctors are posted at PHC Chiterkote and PHC Panzgam, while paramedical staff is available at PHC Chiterkote, PHC Teetwal, PHC Panzgam and PHC Nachiyan.
To fill vacant posts, the Department has referred 480 posts of Medical Officers (Allopathic) to the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC) for selection.
Against these posts, 416 candidates have been recommended by the Commission, of whom 335 Medical Officers have so far been appointed.
The newly appointed doctors will be posted appropriately, keeping in view the requirements of peripheral, underserved, remote and difficult-area health institutions, including ALC areas.
The Government also said that the National Health Mission (NHM) provides supplementary human resources under various approved programmes. At present, 73 personnel are working under NHM in the Karnah constituency.
Besides, 466 non-gazetted posts under the establishment of the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, have been referred to the recruiting agency for selection of suitable candidates.
In response to another question regarding shortage of doctors, paramedics and FMPHWs in health centres in Karnah due to their attachment to other areas of Kupwara district, the House was informed that no NHM staff or employee belonging to Tangdar and Karnah is presently attached, deployed or posted outside their respective places of duty within District Kupwara.
However, regarding regular staff, the Government said the issue of deployment and attachment is being examined to ensure equitable distribution of available manpower and minimise avoidable shortages at peripheral and difficult-area health institutions.
