SRINAGAR: The J&K Allied and Healthcare Students Association (JKAHSA), the healthcare wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the reported “Absolute Freeze” on the creation of new posts, expansion of healthcare manpower, and restrictions on emergency hiring in the health sector.
JKAHSA President Musa Yousuf, in a statement issued here, said that at a time when new hospitals, trauma centres, dialysis units, and healthcare facilities are being established across Jammu and Kashmir, denying the creation of corresponding human resources threatens to undermine the very purpose of these investments.
“Healthcare infrastructure is not merely about buildings and equipment; it is fundamentally dependent on trained doctors, nurses, paramedics, allied healthcare professionals, technicians, and support staff. Without adequate manpower, newly created facilities risk remaining underutilized, while existing healthcare workers continue to face excessive workloads, burnout, and mounting pressure,” he said.
Musa further emphasized that an equally alarming provision is the reported policy under which critical vacant posts may be permanently abolished if they remain unfilled for over two years. He noted that in a region where recruitment processes are often delayed due to administrative and procedural bottlenecks, such a measure could result in the irreversible loss of essential healthcare positions, further weakening the public health system.
He also expressed concern over restrictions on emergency and temporary hiring, stating that public health emergencies, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and unforeseen crises require a flexible and responsive workforce. “Limiting the ability of healthcare institutions to rapidly augment staff during emergencies compromises preparedness and may adversely impact patient care,” he said.
The Association urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and exempt all critical clinical, allied healthcare, paramedical, nursing, technical, and emergency service posts from such restrictions. It also called for the expedited filling of existing vacancies, rational workforce planning, and the creation of adequate posts in line with the expanding healthcare infrastructure across the Union Territory.