Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Mar 15: Around 300 posts including gazetted, non-gazetted and multi-tasking staff are lying vacant at Government Medical College (GMC) Doda, the government informed the Legislative Assembly on Saturday.
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Replying to a question of MLA Sajad Shaheen, Health and Medical Education Department Minister Sakina Itoo as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that in order to improve the doctor-patient ratio and to give a fillip to the available medical services at secondary and tertiary level of treatment, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing referral/District Hospitals” sanctioned establishment of 05 new Medical Colleges at Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Kathua and Rajouri.
“Government Medical College Doda has infrastructure and staff in place, to function smoothly. However, as in the case of any new Medical College, there is room for further improvement. Considerable efforts have been put in to improve the infrastructure in GMC Doda. With regard to staff, all vacant faculty posts stand referred to the JKPSC for advertisement and selection of suitable candidates. Besides, faculty is being engaged on an academic arrangement basis in terms of SO 364 of 2020 dated 27.11.2020 to meet the shortfall, if any. Also, Consultants/ Sr. Consultants of Health Gazetted Services are also being deputed to GMC Doda on standard terms and conditions of deputation for utilization of their services in various departments. Further, recruitment to vacant Non-Gazetted posts in respect of GMC Doda is under consideration,” she said.
“Cost of civil works in respect of GMC Doda has been revised from Rs. 139.00 Crore to Rs. 164.90 Crore with prior approval from Administrative Council vide Govt. Order No. 499-JK(HME) of 2024 dated: 05-08-2024 enabling completion of balance works of Government Medical College Doda. The balance cost of the project is being provided under Capex Budget as full central share has already been released by the MOH&FW, GoI. During the current financial year, an amount of Rs. 9.50 Crore has been earmarked under Capex Budget 2024-25, against which Rs. 7.60 Crore released and Rs. 1.65 Crore incurred,” Itoo said.
She said that 123 gazetted posts, 126 non-gazetted and 47 multi-tasking staff are lying vacant at the hospital, adding that two functional CT Scan Machines, one functional Fibroscan machine (Echosens 630) in AH, GMC DODA while MRI is not available and the project got delayed due to cost escalation of the Project.
“MD/PG/MD/MS courses are not being offered currently in GMC Doda. However, GMC Doda Intends to start PG/MD/MS courses in broad specialties from Academic years 2027-28. Moreover, DNB Courses are being offered in the disciplines of Medicine, Surgery, Obst & Gynae, Pediatrics and Orthopaedics in GMC Doda,” Sakina said—(KNO)
