Says J&K doctors face challenges, urges authorities to implement immediate reforms
SRINAGAR: Mir Arifa Jan, State President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in Jammu & Kashmir and also the State President of the BRICS Human Rights Mission, has written an urgent letter to the Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, highlighting the mounting hardships faced by medical doctors across the Union Territory.
In her letter, Arifa Jan said that despite their pivotal role in public health, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors in J&K are grappling with numerous challenges that threaten their professional and personal well-being.
“These include delayed regularization and promotions for contractual and ad hoc doctors, inadequate infrastructure and medical equipment in government hospitals, disparities in pay scales and stipends—particularly troubling for internship doctors earning less than daily wages—and safety concerns, with reports of assaults against medical staff lacking sufficient legal safeguards,” she said.
The Congress leader further pointed out the heavy workload due to staff shortages, which leads to overwork and mental health issues among healthcare professionals, and sluggish recruitment processes that hamper timely filling of essential medical positions, especially impacting rural and remote areas.
Key Demands for Immediate Government Action:
– Prompt resolution of service-related grievances through time-bound reforms
– Introduction of a comprehensive Doctor Protection Act in J&K
– Transparent and fair recruitment and regularization policies
– Upgrading primary healthcare infrastructure
– Initiatives focused on the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers
Mir Arifa Jan urged the government to prioritise the dignity and welfare of doctors, asserting that their selfless service amid challenging circumstances is vital for public health. She expressed confidence that under the leadership of the Chief Minister, these pressing issues will receive urgent attention.
The letter has also been forwarded to Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, Lt. Governor Manooj Sinha of Jammu & Kashmir, and Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakeena Itoo, seeking their support and intervention.