J&K govt deploys 306 doctors to far-flung and underserved areas

The Jammu and Kashmir government has deployed 306 newly appointed Medical Officers (Allopathic) across remote, far-flung and underserved areas of the Union Territory to strengthen healthcare services and address staff shortages in peripheral health institutions.

Of the 335 candidates who were earlier issued appointment orders, 306 submitted their joining reports within the stipulated period and have now been assigned postings. The remaining 29 did not fulfil the prescribed joining requirements, according to the order.

The newly appointed doctors have been posted at various healthcare facilities, including Primary Health Centres (PHCs), New Type Primary Health Centres (NTPHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) and other grassroots-level institutions.

The deployment gives priority to remote and difficult areas that have traditionally faced shortages of medical personnel, with the aim of improving access to healthcare closer to people's homes.

Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo described the move as an important step towards ensuring equitable access to medical services across Jammu and Kashmir.

“The posting of 306 newly appointed Medical Officers (Allopathic) to far-flung and underserved areas marks a significant step towards ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare,” she said.

“Under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Jb Omar Abdullah, our commitment remains to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, address staff shortages and ensure that no region is left behind,” the minister added.

The latest deployment follows an earlier initiative by the Omar Abdullah-led government. In September, the Chief Minister handed over appointment orders to a batch of newly recruited Medical Officers at a ceremony in Srinagar and urged them to serve in remote areas.

He had also stressed the need to make routine procedures, including normal deliveries and basic surgeries, available at sub-district and district hospitals so that patients do not have to travel to major hospitals in Srinagar or Jammu for such services.

The government aims to strengthen healthcare delivery at the local level through the deployment of doctors in peripheral institutions. The move is also expected to help reduce the referral burden on tertiary hospitals and improve access to medical services in snowbound and hard-to-reach areas.

The large-scale deployment is part of the government's broader efforts to address the uneven distribution of medical personnel and strengthen the public healthcare system across Jammu and Kashmir.

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