Srinagar, Sep 29: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said vacancies in health institutions across Kupwara constituency are being filled in a phased manner through prescribed recruitment mechanisms, while priority is being given to peripheral, remote, far-flung and staff-deficient facilities.
The details were provided by the Minister in-charge, Health and Medical Education, in response to a question raised by MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz regarding the status of health institutions and vacancies in Kupwara constituency.
The government said vacancies arising due to retirements, promotions and other reasons are referred to concerned recruiting agencies from time to time after fulfilling the prescribed requirements.
“The Department processes such vacancies in a phased manner through the prescribed recruitment mechanism, keeping in view the sanctioned strength, applicable recruitment rules, availability of vacancies and overall manpower requirements of health institutions,” the reply stated.
It said the vacancies listed in the annexure were not attributable to any withholding of recruitment, but had arisen due to routine factors, including retirements, promotions and the creation or upgradation of institutions and posts.
According to the government, after completion of recruitment, selected candidates are posted against available vacancies, with due consideration to the staffing requirements of peripheral, remote and staff-deficient health institutions.
In response to a separate question regarding vacant posts referred to the J&K Public Service Commission (JKPSC), J&K Services Selection Board (JKSSB) and National Health Mission (NHM), the government said 872 gazetted posts had been referred to JKPSC.
Against these posts, 464 selections have so far been received, including 416 Medical Officers (Allopathic), 33 Medical Officers (Homeopathic), eight Medical Lady Officers, three Antenatal Care In-charge Ancillary Staff and four Maternity Child Welfare Officers.
Appointment orders for 335 Medical Officers have already been issued after completion of the requisite verification and other formalities, the government said.
Similarly, 1,567 non-gazetted posts and 79 Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) posts have been referred to JKSSB for selection of eligible candidates.
On strengthening specialist, emergency and diagnostic services in Kupwara constituency, the government said the Finance Department has imposed austerity measures, including a restriction on creation of new posts.
Regarding upgradation of healthcare facilities, the government said J&K currently has around 4,000 health institutions at various levels and is focusing on consolidation and strengthening of existing facilities.
It said J&K is among the leading large States/UTs in terms of health institution density, with calculations based on a 2023 Ministry of Health and Family Welfare report indicating one health institution for every 3,500 people in J&K, compared with the national average of around one for every 6,000 people.
The government said existing facilities are being strengthened in accordance with IPHS 2022 norms, alongside expansion of e-Sanjeevani and telemedicine services through a hub-and-spoke model.
Meanwhile, a 50-bedded Critical Care Block is under execution at Sub-District Hospital Kupwara at an estimated cost of ₹23.75 crore. The project, which has been under execution for the past two years, is expected to be completed by March 2027.
The facility will also cater to trauma and emergency requirements, the government said, adding that vacant posts are regularly forwarded to recruiting agencies for filling in the interest of patient care.
The government further said infrastructure and medical equipment for operation theatres, labour rooms and emergency services are being augmented regularly.
For diagnostic services, ₹14.58 crore has been provisioned under the Capex Budget 2026-27 for procurement of a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine for District Hospital Kupwara. The procurement is being undertaken through the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL).
Besides, a District Health Lab at CHC Kupwara, approved at a cost of ₹1.25 crore, is at the finishing stage. Diagnostic and other facilities, including District Early Intervention Centres (DEICs) and Block Public Health Units (BPHUs), are also being taken up under PM-ABHIM and ECRP-II.
The department is also exploring the installation of AI-based X-ray machines in all district and sub-district hospitals across J&K, the government said.
