Imagine being a highly qualified doctor, ready to serve your community, yet stuck in limbo for months without a job or salary. This is the harsh reality for over 70 doctors in Kashmir, who have been waiting for their posting orders since October 2025 after completing advanced medical courses. These aren't just any doctors—they hold prestigious degrees like MBBS, MD, and DNB, and were already serving in government roles before pursuing further specialization. But here's where it gets frustrating: despite their dedication and the urgent need for specialists in Jammu and Kashmir’s hospitals, they’ve been left idle, their salaries withheld for four long months.
According to sources, these doctors had obtained permission to pursue higher studies, only to find themselves in a bureaucratic deadlock upon completion. Their posting orders haven’t been issued, leaving them in a state of uncertainty. The authorities claim their list has been forwarded to the Health and Medical Education Department, but despite repeated promises, no action has been taken. This delay isn’t just a personal hardship—it’s a systemic issue. While these doctors remain unemployed, hospitals across the region are grappling with a severe shortage of specialists, impacting patient care.
And this is the part most people miss: the irony of trained professionals sitting idle while healthcare institutions cry out for their expertise. The affected doctors have appealed to Syed Abid Rashid, Secretary of Health and Medical Education, to intervene and resolve the issue urgently. Yet, attempts to reach him have been unsuccessful, leaving the doctors in a state of despair.
Is this a case of bureaucratic inefficiency, or is there more to the story? The situation raises critical questions about resource allocation and accountability in the healthcare system. What do you think? Should the government prioritize immediate postings to address the specialist shortage, or is there a deeper issue at play? Share your thoughts in the comments—this is a conversation that needs to happen.
