In a concerning situation that raises questions about healthcare management and workforce utilization, over 70 highly skilled doctors in Kashmir are currently left in limbo, awaiting their official posting orders after being attached to the Directorate of Health Services since October 2025. This unfortunate scenario has resulted in these professionals, who have completed their MBBS, MD, and DNB courses, being without any salary for an unsettling four months.
According to reports, these doctors were already employed within the government healthcare system and had sought advanced postgraduate and super-speciality training with the necessary approvals. However, despite having attained their advanced qualifications, they find themselves in a state of inactivity due to the absence of formal posting directives. This delay has directly led to a halt in their salaries, creating a financial strain on them and their families.
The affected individuals have conveyed that they were assured by officials that their names had been submitted to the Health and Medical Education Department at the Civil Secretariat for the issuance of their postings. Yet, despite repeated promises from authorities, tangible progress remains elusive, leaving these qualified professionals both unemployed and financially vulnerable.
This situation is particularly troubling as it not only impacts the lives of these doctors but also hampers patient care in Jammu and Kashmir, where there is a critical shortage of specialists in government hospitals. The doctors pointed out that numerous healthcare institutions are struggling due to the lack of available specialists, even as trained and willing practitioners sit idly by, ready to contribute to patient care.
In light of these challenges, the doctors have reached out to Syed Abid Rashid, the Secretary of Health and Medical Education, urging him to take personal action to expedite the issuance of their posting orders and resolve the issue of their pending salaries.
Despite attempts to reach Secretary Rashid for comments, no response has been received at this time. This ongoing situation prompts us to consider: what can be done to ensure that medical professionals are not only trained but also effectively integrated into the workforce to serve the community? What are your thoughts on how such situations should be managed?
