Jammu and Kashmir’s premier tertiary care hospital, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura, is grappling with an acute manpower crisis, with more than half of its sanctioned posts lying vacant, raising serious concerns over patient care and healthcare delivery in the Valley.
According to details accessed, out of a total sanctioned strength of 2,262 posts at SKIMS Soura, only 1,040 employees are currently in position, while a staggering 1,222 posts remain vacant, reflecting a shortage exceeding 50 per cent.
A further breakdown of the figures reveals that out of 250 sanctioned faculty positions, only 152 are filled, leaving 98 posts vacant. Similarly, in the paramedical category, only 518 staff members are in position against 1,303 sanctioned posts, with 785 vacancies reported.
The nursing segment is also severely affected, with just 370 staff in place out of 709 sanctioned posts, leaving 339 posts unfilled.
The alarming shortage has sparked concern among the general public, who view SKIMS Soura as the Valley’s most critical referral and tertiary care hospital.
“SKIMS is considered the last hope for patients after Allah. If such a vital institution is facing this level of staff shortage, one can only imagine the condition of hospitals in peripheral areas,” said several attendants and patients.
They added that despite the severe manpower deficit, doctors and paramedical staff continue to work tirelessly to provide treatment.
However, they noted that with such a high vacancy rate, the burden on existing staff is immense, especially as the hospital caters to thousands of patients daily. “There is tremendous pressure on the available workforce. While they are doing their best, the shortage inevitably affects efficiency and patient care. The government must take immediate steps to fill these vacancies,” they said.
Meanwhile, a similar situation persists at SKIMS Medical College Hospital, Bemina, where a significant number of posts are also lying vacant.
Out of 1,167 sanctioned posts at SKIMS Bemina, only 774 are filled, while 393 posts remain vacant.
The vacant positions at SKIMS Bemina include 70 faculty posts, 12 registrars, 6 junior residents, 23 other gazetted posts, 76 paramedical posts, 67 additional paramedical staff positions, 53 nursing posts, and 86 Class-IV posts.
The persistent vacancies in both institutions have raised questions about healthcare management and staffing policies, with stakeholders urging authorities to address the issue on a priority basis to ensure better patient care across Jammu and Kashmir.
