Jammu, March 10, 2025- Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo announced on Monday that 365 doctors were appointed as medical officers in the Health and Family Welfare Department in November 2024, aimed at bolstering healthcare services at the grassroots level. Responding to a written query from MLA Shakti Parihar in the Assembly, the minister highlighted that these officers have been posted in far-flung areas to address staffing shortages and improve access to medical facilities across the Union Territory.
“These 365 medical officers were selected last November and deployed to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, particularly in remote regions,” Itoo stated. She added that an additional 181 medical officer posts are still pending with the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission . “Once we receive these selections, the doctors will be assigned to health institutions facing acute staff shortages,” she assured the House.
The minister emphasised the government’s commitment to addressing vacancies caused by retirements or promotions, noting that such posts would be referred to recruiting agencies to ensure optimal staffing as per sanctioned strength. “Our goal is to maximise healthcare delivery, especially in underserved areas,” she said.
This development follows ongoing efforts to improve healthcare accessibility, as highlighted by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in recent statements. The appointment of these medical officers is seen as a critical step toward reducing the burden on urban hospitals and enhancing medical services in peripheral regions of Jammu and Kashmir.