Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD):In a significant development aimed at revamping the healthcare system across Jammu and Kashmir, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo Thursday announced a major reshuffle of doctors in government hospitals, stating that performance, transparency, and patient care will be the new benchmarks for postings.
The announcement came during the Minister’s surprise visit to District Hospital Pulwama, where she expressed concern over the absence of doctors and poor hospital hygiene. “Out of 40 doctors, only four were found present during my visit. This is unacceptable. The health system cannot be held hostage to habitual absenteeism,” said Itoo while addressing the media.
The minister, who represents the Jammu & Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), said the reshuffle is part of a broader effort to ensure efficient service delivery and restore public confidence in the government healthcare system. She emphasized that doctors who have remained in one place for years will be transferred in the coming weeks.
“Transfers are not meant to be punitive but to ensure rotation, discipline, and equal distribution of manpower. Nobody should consider their posting permanent,” Itoo added.
The minister said that all Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) have been directed to submit updated rosters, performance reports, and attendance logs of all doctors and paramedical staff.
The reshuffle will target those who have overstayed in prime postings—particularly in Srinagar and district headquarters—while rural and far-flung hospitals continue to suffer due to staff shortages.
Additionally, she directed hospital management to ensure:
Full-time functioning of operation theatres
Regular cleanliness drives in wards and washrooms
Timely attendance of doctors and staff
Round-the-clock emergency preparedness
The National Conference minister also hinted at action against negligent administrators, stressing that accountability will not stop at lower-level employees. “This department needs to serve people, not power centers. Whether it is Pulwama or Poonch, patient care should be the priority,” she asserted.
Sources within the Health Department confirmed that a comprehensive list of transfers is being prepared, and the official orders could be issued within the next 10 days.
Political analysts see this move as an attempt by the JKNC to strengthen its administrative image ahead of the upcoming elections, especially after recent criticism over healthcare lapses in government-run hospitals.
This reshuffle comes on the heels of a controversy last month, when a similar transfer order sparked protests among doctors over seniority violations, prompting the government to assure a review.
The healthcare reshuffle is expected to impact hundreds of doctors across primary, secondary, and tertiary health institutions in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Public response has been mixed—while many citizens welcomed the decision, calling it long overdue, several healthcare professionals urged the government to balance administrative reform with job security and due process.
The coming days will be critical in observing how the reshuffle unfolds and whether it delivers tangible improvements in the region’s healthcare delivery system.(DD)
