Srinagar, July 4: Even as hospitals in J&K are facing dearth of specialized doctors over the years, the state’s Health and Medical Education Department seems to be unconcerned on the appointment of A-grade specialist doctors, rendering the health institutions short of experienced staff.
While the department has come in the line of criticism for over 500 neonate deaths at the Valley’s lone children specialty, G B Pant hospital, this year, official documents with Greater Kashmir paint a grim picture of healthcare vis-à-vis availability of specialized doctors.
The documents reveal that no A-grade specialist in Pediatric and Gynecology is available in J&K hospitals. “There are only 37 A-grade specialists working in JK hospitals after these posts were created by the Health and Medical Education Department. That is the only strength of A-grade medicos we have so far,” the documents read.
In Kashmir Valley, out of 37 A-grade specialists, 22 are working in twin specialities of Surgery and Medicine. In Jammu the number is even less with just 15 A-grade specialists posted in the hospitals there. These specialists were appointed in six branches including ENT, Ophthalmology, Orthopedics, Pathology, Radiology and Dentistry.
Medicos in Valley hospitals say a number of them are awaiting promotions and/or appointments against the available vacancies of specialist doctors.
Official figures suggest that about 532 B-grade specialists are working in JK hospital, run by the Directorate of Health Services—Kashmir and Jammu.
“The callous attitude of government is forcing specialized doctors to leave the valley for better job opportunities. Recently some doctors left the state for outside countries after getting good salary package there,” the medicos said. “The shortage of specialist doctors is badly hitting patient care in JK hospitals. This is despite repeated assurances by the state government that it is committed to provide adequate and well experienced manpower to the health institutions for their effective functioning.”
Despite repeated attempts, Commissioner/Secretary Health and Medical Education Department, MK Dwivedi could not be contacted.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 5 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST