Jammu, Jan 2: The Government has decided to create 103 posts of physiotherapists in all the District and Sub-District hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have got approval from the Finance department and posts would be advertised soon so that the process of selection could be completed in shortest possible time”, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Sham Lal Sharma told Greater Kashmir after inaugurating the Youth Congress Office here.
Health Minister said the government had already advertised nine posts recently and this was beginning of the process of introducing the physiotherapy in the hospitals.  “By this time Finance department has given approval to 103 posts and more will follow in future”, he said.
However, according to the officials, Health Department had sent a proposal for creation of 200 posts in Health institutions in J&K, but Finance Department has cleared only 103.
Sharma said decks had been cleared for the State’s Drug Policy and shortly the proposal would be placed before the Cabinet for approval. “A separate Procurement Directorate will also be established to maintain transparency in the purchases and ensure supply of quality drugs and allied material,” he said. He said the Government had taken many initiatives during the past two years for improvement in the functioning of the health sector.
However, the agitating physiotherapists have rejected the Health Minister’s announcement and have alleged that government wants to divide them. “There are about 3000 unemployed physiotherapists in the state and these 103 posts won’t do anything good. We reject it”, said Dr Vimal Manhas, president of the Physiotherapist Association, which is spearheading the agitation for last 42 days.
It is pertinent to mention here that agitating physiotherapists are also demanding constitution of J&K State Council of Physiotherapy and filling up of the posts through Public Service Commission.
They are also demanding re-opening of Government Physiotherapy College and opening of Physiotherapy Departments at each PHC across the state.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 2 Jan 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 2 Jan 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 3 Jan 2011 00:00:00 IST