JAMMU, JANUARY 09: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo today emphasized on the need for timely referral of vacant posts to address shortages of doctors, paramedics and other support staff in healthcare institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Health Minister made these remarks while chairing a meeting at Civil Secretariat here to review the status of vacancies of different categories of posts at various levels and progress on referral of posts in Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) and Health and Medical department across Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah; Principals of all GMCs (Srinagar, Jammu, Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri, Kathua, Doda, Udhampur and Handwara), Principal SKIMS Medical College, Director Health Services Jammu/Kashmir and other senior officers of the department, either in person or through video conferencing.

The meeting was held with an objective of review assessing the existing manpower gaps and expediting recruitment process to strengthen healthcare delivery at all levels.

During the meeting, the Minister emphasized on the need for timely referral of vacant posts to address shortages of doctors, paramedics and support staff in hospitals and medical institutions. She sought detailed updates on sanctioned posts, vacancies and the status of selections being processed through recruiting agencies.

Stressing that efficient human resource forms the backbone of the healthcare system, Sakeena Itoo directed officials to streamline procedures and remove bottlenecks delaying appointments as well as posting of specialists in deserving areas. “Cancel attachments of all doctors and paramedics and post them in areas facing acute shortage of staff”, Minister Sakeena directed the officers.

She further asked all Principals of GMCs and Directors to ascertain the requirement of doctors and specialists in their respective medical institutions and make a proper plan for posting of required staff at these places. She also stressed on both Directors for rationalisation of staff in order to fill necessary manpower gaps of specialists in far flung areas.

The Minister also directed the Principals for timely finalisation of Recruitment rules for all categories of posts so that the process of recruitment is expedited and the vacant posts are filled timely.

While reviewing different aspects of health sector, Minister Sakeena also laid special emphasis on adopting a proactive and compassionate approach towards victims of drug abuse. She highlighted the need to strengthen de-addiction and rehabilitation services, ensure early identification of substance abuse cases and provide comprehensive medical, psychological and social support to affected individuals.

The Minister stressed that drug abuse need to be addressed as a serious public health as well as societal issue. She directed the officers to enhance awareness programmes, expand counselling services and improve infrastructure at de-addiction centres to facilitate effective treatment and rehabilitation of victims.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to a people-centric healthcare system, the Minister said that timely recruitment, robust institutional support and a humane approach towards vulnerable sections, including drug abuse victims, remain top priorities of the Government.

The Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving patient care and ensuring equitable health services, particularly in peripheral and underserved areas. She underscored that strengthening GMCs and health institutions with adequate staff would enhance health care service delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.

Srinagar, Jan 9, KNT: Mild to moderate earthquake tremors were felt in parts of Jammu and Kashmir in the middle of the night.

According to seismic data, the earthquake measured 5.3 on the Richter scale and struck at 2:14 a.m. The epicentre was located about 61 kilometres from Murghab in the Gorno Badakhshan region of Tajikistan.

The quake originated at a depth of 140 kilometres below the surface and was felt across several surrounding regions, including parts of Jammu and Kashmir especially in Srinagar.

No reports of loss of life or damage to property were received from the Union Territory, officials said. [KNT]

Srinagar, Jan 7, KNT: Fire Operation at Barzulla Bulbul Bagh in Srinagar ended after a 30-hour-long intensive firefighting operation, bringing to a close one of the major fire incidents reported in the city in recent times.

The fire had broken out yesterday evening. Fire and Emergency Services teams were immediately mobilised, and the first response unit reached the spot within minutes to initiate containment measures.

The blaze involved a U-shaped, double-storeyed showroom-cum-godown constructed with pucca wooden structure and GCI sheets. Several business establishments including New Express Jammu, Prevegia Logistics and Chamba Manali Transport Company, Chandigarh were operating from the premises. The structure was being used to store cosmetics, paint thinner, hardware goods, kiryana items, medicines, kitchenware, blankets, tyres, carry bags and other miscellaneous materials.

Alongside the commercial structure, 37 residential sheds constructed with wooden frames, tarpaulin and GCI sheets were also engulfed by the fire. Household goods and scrap material stored inside these sheds were severely damaged.

Officials said the main U-shaped structure suffered extensive damage, including complete loss of flooring and furnishing items such as carpets, curtains and other fittings. The wooden structure of the transport company was partially damaged, while a large quantity of stored material including medicines, hardware goods, kiryana items, blankets and carry bags was destroyed. One motorcycle bearing registration number JK05F-9233 was also damaged in the incident.

The prolonged firefighting operation was headed by Deputy Director Fire and Emergency Services Dr Mir Aqib Hussain and Mobilising Officer Aijaz Ahmad Shah, under the direct supervision of ADGP Fire and Emergency Services Alok Kumar. During the operation, a fire tender from Fire Station Rawalpora sustained damage after its front windshield was broken by locals at the scene.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. No loss of life was reported. [KNT]

Bijbehara, Jan 07 : People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, accusing him of remaining silent on issues that directly affect common people, particularly land acquisition and the concerns of orchardists.

Speaking on the death anniversary of her father and former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in Bijbhehara, Mehbooba Mufti, said that instead of solving public issues, Omar Abdullah is busy speaking only against the PDP.

“He has an absolute majority, and his party has members in both the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, yet he chooses silence on issues that hurt the poor,” she said

She further claimed that Omar Abdullah does not understand the emotional and economic value of orchards and land that belongs to ordinary Kashmiris. “He doesn’t know what an orchard or a piece of land means to a poor family. That is why he is mute on these issues and refuses to speak for the people whose livelihoods are at stake,” she said.

Mehbooba Mufti also said that the unemployment rate and alienation among the people of J&K has reached a level that a doctor from Pulwama killed himself and some innocents in Delhi, yet Omar Abdullah government is silent on burning issues in J&K.

She also urged the government to prioritise employment for local youth before acquiring land for railway and other major infrastructure projects in Kashmir, saying development cannot come at the cost of people’s livelihoods and dignity.

She said that land is the only source of survival for thousands of families in Kashmir, especially orchardists and small farmers, and any decision to take land must be accompanied by concrete assurances of jobs and rehabilitation for affected locals.

“Before taking even an inch of land for a railway or any other project, the government must ensure that all unemployed youth and every affected family get jobs. Land here is not just property; it is a livelihood, identity and a survival for poor families,” she said.

Srinagar, Jan 6, KNT: A massive fire broke out on Tuesday in the Bulbul Bagh area of Barzulla in Srinagar, triggering panic in the locality and prompting an immediate response from the Fire and Emergency Services Department.

Officials said flames erupted in a junk yard in the area, where scrapped vehicles and other discarded material belonging to non locals were stored. The fire spread rapidly, engulfing large quantities of scrap and causing thick plumes of smoke to rise from the site. Some nearby structures were also caught in the grip of the fire.

Soon after the incident was reported, multiple fire tenders were rushed to the spot and firefighting operations were taken up. Officials said efforts are on to bring the blaze under control and prevent it from spreading to adjoining residential areas.

No immediate reports of loss of life were received, though the extent of property damage was being assessed at the time of filing this report. Police and other emergency teams were also present at the scene to assist in managing the situation and regulating movement in the area.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known. Officials said it will be ascertained after the fire is fully controlled and a detailed assessment is carried out. [KNT]