SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
JAMMU, Dec 276
The Government Dental College and Hospital, a premier dental institute in Jammu, has been grappling with a severe staff shortage despite generating substantial revenue over the past four years.
According to a Right to Information (RTI) filed by a social activist MM Shuja, the hospital accrued over Rs 1.1 crore in revenue since 2019, raising questions about the unfulfilled staffing needs.
The hospital, which plays a crucial role in dental healthcare in the region, reported earnings of Rs 8.14 lakhs in 2020-21, Rs 24.96 lakhs in 2021-22, Rs 48.26 lakhs in 2022-23, and Rs 29.05 lakhs from April to October 2023.
Despite this financial success, the institution faces a significant staffing challenge with approximately 100 vacancies, including dental surgeons, paramedical staff, and non-gazetted positions.
Shockingly, the Jammu and Kashmir Health Department has not advertised positions for dental surgeons since 2008, leaving thousands of qualified dental doctors unemployed across the Union Territory. Many of these professionals have surpassed the age limit for the J&K Public Service Commission examination without ever having the opportunity to appear for it.
The hospital currently operates with a total of 119 doctors, of which only 90 positions are filled. The situation is more dire in the paramedical staff segment, where 56 out of 96 positions remain vacant. Additionally, nearly half of the non-gazetted posts in the hospital are unoccupied.
This staff shortage is occurring against the backdrop of increasing patient numbers. The hospital registered 4,307 new patients in 2020-21, with the number soaring to 13,156 by 2022-23. The current year has already seen 8,400 new patients from April to October.
The alarming gap between revenue generation and staffing raises critical concerns about the hospital’s ability to continue providing quality dental care to its growing patient base. This situation underscores the need for immediate action by the government to address the staffing crisis and ensure that the healthcare needs of the population are met efficiently and effectively.
