No post creation since 2008, file lingering
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Sept 23: More than two years have passed, but the Government appears to be ignoring the oral health in J&K as the file for the creation of posts for dental surgeons has not been accorded approval.
The file for the creation of around 500 posts of dental surgeons is doing rounds of the offices as the Finance Department of Health & Medical Education Department (H&ME) has failed to accord concurrence to the creation of these posts.
Earlier in July 2019, the file was sent back to the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir after reaching the final stage. The Directorate was asked to reduce the number of post in the proposal and resubmit it in concurrence to the need.
Officials told Excelsior that resubmitting it in concurrence to the need would mean that the number of posts would be reduced and that’s the main reason that the Finance Department has not approved it so far.
“It is still lingering there seeking concurrence, but the Finance Department has failed to do so till date,” an official said.
It may be mentioned here that despite addition of dental surgeons to the pool of professionals every year, there is still a dearth of oral health specialists across J&K. At the same time, there has not been creation of posts in the oral healthcare of J&K since 2008.
As per estimates, there are around 4500 dental surgeons in J&K whose services are not being utilized to take care of oral healthcare needs in the healthcare sector of J&K. More so, there is a constant increase in the number of such professionals in J&K every year.
The proposal that was sent by the Directorate office Srinagar validates that there has been a dearth, or absence at certain places of oral healthcare specialists across hospital in Kashmir. “This has led to improper oral healthcare and increased surge in blood-borne diseases”, it stated.
The dental surgeons said that the Government has to take some concrete step not only to accommodate and utilize their services, but also to augment the oral healthcare in J&K. “For this, they must create posts and it is an irony that there has been no creation of posts for last more than 12 years,” they said.
Financial Commissioner, H&ME Atal Dulloo told Excelsior that there is a proposal for the creation of posts for dental surgeons. However, he said, the same has not been given concurrence by the Finance Department.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
