Sopore, Apr 26: Shortage of staff has affected the functioning of sub district hospital and peripheral healthcare institutions in this north Kashmir constituency. 
 According to the data available with Greater Kashmir nearly  100 posts of medicos and paramedics are vacant in the SDH and adjoining health centres.
 The data reveals that 13 out of 15 posts of specialists are vacant in SDH Sopore, which receives around  800 patients everyday.
 Medicos told Greater Kashmir that the absence of pediatrician in separate Maternity and Childcare hospital of the town had paralyzed institution’s functioning.
 “It is ironical that the hospital meant for childcare is without a pediatrician. Most of the ailing children brought for treatment here are shifted to the City hospitals owing to the absence of doctors,” they said,
 Out of 49 posts of assistant surgeons, 21 are vacant. Besides this, the hospitals are also grappling with the shortage of paramedical staff like nurses, technicians, with 83 of these posts still unfilled.
 Sources further said that the recruitment process for the 89 posts of the sanctioned staff is also going at snail’s pace
 When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bashir Ahmed Bhat said that vacant posts are being filled up by the Government.
 “Health sector is our priority and we are on the job,” he added.
 Despite repeated attempts, the Director Health Services Kashmir Dr Saleem-ul-Rehman could not be contacted.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 26 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 27 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST