Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, May 18: A total of 160 posts, including 15 doctor positions, are currently vacant at Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital in Jammu, a Right to Information (RTI) query has revealed.
According to this information, obtained by RTI activist MM Shuja and accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), there is a shortage of staff which is affecting the hospital.
The vacant positions include 15 doctors, 88 paramedical staff, and 38 nursing staff. The lack of sufficient medical personnel has contributed to the operational challenges faced by the hospital.
The RTI details also provide alarming statistics on patient deaths over the past few years: 2019: 996 deaths, 2020: 612 deaths, 2021: 603 deaths, 2022: 589 deaths, 2023: 824 deaths, and 2024 (until March): 200 deaths.
The pediatric department reported the highest number of deaths: 2019: 964 deaths, 2020: 572 deaths, 2021: 573 deaths, 2022: 562 deaths, 2023: 799 deaths, and 2024 (so far): 190 deaths.
Regarding medical equipment, the RTI reveals there are 30 ventilators in Obstetrics & Gynecology Department. Among these, 17 are in Recovery Ward ICU and 13 in Maternal ICU.
There are 75 ventilators in Pediatrics ICU, with a shortage of space for additional ventilators.
The data shows the number of patients who benefited from the Ayushman Bharat Golden Health Card at SMGS Hospital. These include: 2019-20: 121 patients, 2020-21: 627 patients, 2021-22: 4226 patients, 2022-23: 7678 patients, and 2023-24: 7334 patients—(KNO)
