Waris Fayaz
Srinagar, Feb 03 :
Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla and its Associated Hospital are facing a serious manpower shortage across teaching, clinical and support staff, while large-scale vacancies are there in faculty, gazetted as well as non-gazetted.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the government revealed in the House that the total sanctioned faculty strength at GMC Baramulla stands at 272 posts. Against this, only 209 faculty members are in place, leaving 63 posts vacant.
The shortage is acute in senior teaching positions. Out of 23 sanctioned posts of Professors, only 8 are filled, while 15 remain vacant. Associate Professors show 8 vacancies against 33 sanctioned posts. Assistant Professors face the biggest gap with 20 vacancies out of 65 posts. Junior Residents have 6 vacant posts, while Senior Residents face a shortfall of 5.
Similarly, a significant shortfall in non-gazetted staff, particularly in technical, nursing and support categories. The data was revealed in response to legislator Aga Syed Muntazir Mehdi’s query.
GMC Baramulla has a sanctioned strength of 260 non-gazetted posts. Against this, only 211 posts are filled through permanent and contractual arrangements, leaving 49 posts vacant. Technical Assistant and Technician posts show a gap of 4 vacancies out of 37 sanctioned positions, while key support roles such as workshop workers remain completely vacant with all 6 posts unfilled, the data reveals.
Several specialised healthcare support services are also understaffed. Posts of Psychiatric Social Worker, Tuberculosis and Chest Diseases Health Visitor, Prosthetic and Orthotic Technician and Rehabilitation Worker show complete vacancies. Senior nursing positions present a worrying picture, with all 21 sanctioned posts of Senior Staff Nurse and 4 posts of Nursing Supervisor vacant.
The gazetted staff position at the associated hospital also reflects serious gaps. Out of 59 sanctioned gazetted posts, only 25 are in position, leaving 34 posts vacant.
Key specialities remain understaffed. There are no Senior Consultants in Medicine, Surgery or Ophthalmology. Consultant posts in Medicine, Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Orthopaedics, ENT, Radiology and Gynaecology also show vacancies, while Medical Officers face a shortfall of 16 posts out of 29 sanctioned.
The non-gazetted staff situation is equally concerning. Against 100 sanctioned posts, only 44 are filled, leaving 56 vacancies.
Nursing services are under strain with 21 vacancies in Junior Grade Nurses and 4 vacancies among Senior Nurses. Laboratory, pharmacy, dental, X-ray, theatre and technical sections also report multiple vacant posts, thus affecting routine and emergency services—(KNO)