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SRINAGAR: The J&K Allied and Healthcare Students Association (JKAHSA), the healthcare wing of the Jammu and Kashmir Students Association, on Tuesday expressed grave concern over the reported "Absolute Freeze" on the creation of new posts, expansion of healthcare manpower, and restrictions on emergency hiring in the health sector.
JKAHSA President Musa Yousuf said that at a time when new hospitals, trauma centres, dialysis units, and healthcare facilities are being established across Jammu and Kashmir, denying the creation of corresponding human resources threatens to undermine the very purpose of these investments.
"Healthcare infrastructure is not merely about buildings and equipment; it is fundamentally dependent on trained doctors, nurses, paramedics, allied healthcare professionals, technicians, and support staff. Without adequate manpower, newly created facilities risk remaining underutilized, while existing healthcare workers continue to face excessive workloads, burnout, and mounting pressure," he said.
Musa further emphasized that an equally alarming provision is the reported policy under which critical vacant posts may be permanently abolished if they remain unfilled for over two years. He noted that in a region where recruitment processes are often delayed due to administrative and procedural bottlenecks, such a measure could result in the irreversible loss of essential healthcare positions, further weakening the public health system.
He also expressed concern over restrictions on emergency and temporary hiring, stating that public health emergencies, disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and unforeseen crises require a flexible and responsive workforce. "Limiting the ability of healthcare institutions to rapidly augment staff during emergencies compromises preparedness and may adversely impact patient care," he said.
While acknowledging the importance of fiscal prudence and administrative reforms, Musa asserted that austerity measures should not come at the cost of public health. "Healthcare is an essential service and must be treated as a priority sector. Any policy that restricts the availability of trained healthcare professionals ultimately affects patients, particularly those in rural, remote, tribal, and underserved areas who already face significant barriers in accessing quality healthcare," he added.
The Association urged Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to intervene and exempt all critical clinical, allied healthcare, paramedical, nursing, technical, and emergency service posts from such restrictions. It also called for the expedited filling of existing vacancies, rational workforce planning, and the creation of adequate posts in line with the expanding healthcare infrastructure across the Union Territory.
"A strong healthcare system cannot be built on infrastructure alone; it requires investment in people. The future of healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir depends not only on new hospitals but also on ensuring that they are adequately staffed, fully functional, and capable of delivering timely and quality healthcare to every citizen," the Association said.This version is structured in a professional media-release format and is ready for circulation to newspapers and news agencies.
