SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 25 (KNC): Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakeena Itoo informed the Legislative Assembly that manpower shortages exist in certain healthcare institutions across Jammu and Kashmir, with the extent varying according to sanctioned strength, vacancies, functional requirements and service delivery needs.

The Minister was replying to a question raised by Hazratbal MLA Salman Ali Sagar.

She said the Health and Medical Education Department is continuously monitoring the manpower position across healthcare institutions to ensure optimum utilisation of available human resources and uninterrupted delivery of healthcare services.

Wherever required, available medical and paramedical staff is being rationally deployed and adjusted among healthcare institutions based on patient load, functional requirements, institutional needs and availability of specialised services.

The Minister said the Government is taking necessary measures to ensure manpower constraints do not adversely affect essential healthcare services.

Srinagar Health Services Functioning Smoothly: Govt

Responding specifically to the issue of staff shortages in District Srinagar, Sakeena Itoo said health services across Jammu and Kashmir are presently functioning smoothly.

She said wherever shortages exist, these are being supplemented through deployment or engagement of staff under the National Health Mission (NHM), wherever permissible.

Consequently, she said, there is no adverse impact on the delivery of healthcare services in District Srinagar.

SKIMS Services Also Running Smoothly

On the shortage of doctors, nurses and allied staff at SKIMS, the Minister said healthcare services are currently running smoothly.

She said available manpower is being utilised optimally, while vacancies are being addressed through recruitment and permissible alternative arrangements to ensure continuity of patient-care services.

The Minister reiterated that the Government is focusing on rational deployment, recruitment, NHM engagement and other permissible arrangements to address manpower gaps and ensure uninterrupted healthcare services across Jammu and Kashmir.(KNC)