Public Suffers as SDH Surankote Remains Without Specialist; CMO, BMO Under Scrutiny for Non-Implementation of DHS Attachment Cancellation Order; Demands Grow for DDC Poonch, Commissioner Secretary Health to Intervene, Investigate Attachment Racket
Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Surankote faces a severe healthcare crisis with the Gynaecologist post vacant for 5-6 months, forcing women to suffer or seek costly alternatives.
CMO Poonch Parvaiz Ahmed Khan attributes the vacancy to “stay orders” obtained by the transferred doctor, while BMO Surankote Yousuf Choudhary confirms the non-joining of the new appointee.
Despite a Director Health Services (DHS) Jammu Order (No. DHS-J/Adm/2692-2714 dated 16/05/2025) cancelling all attachments and directing staff to original postings, the Surankote vacancy persists, raising questions about its non-implementation by CMO/BMO.
Allegations surface of a wider “Pick and Choose” attachment policy benefiting individuals in CMO Office, District Hospital Poonch, and Blocks, with calls for scrutiny of biometric attendance and an urgent appeal to DDC Poonch and Commissioner Secretary Health for immediate posting and investigation.
harpreet singh
Poonch, May 19, 2025: The Sub-District Hospital (SDH) Surankote is reeling under a crippling healthcare crisis as the crucial post of Gynaecologist has remained vacant for an alarming five to six months, leaving thousands of women in Surankote and adjoining areas without access to essential specialized medical care. While Block Medical Officer (BMO) Surankote, Yousuf Choudhary, has confirmed the prolonged vacancy and the non-joining of the designated doctor, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Poonch, Parvaiz Ahmed Khan, has cited “operative stay orders” as the reason for the impasse. This explanation, however, is now under intense scrutiny following the issuance of a Director Health Services (DHS) Jammu order mandating the cancellation of all attachments, an order allegedly yet to be implemented effectively by the local health administration in Poonch, particularly concerning the Surankote crisis.
The dire situation at SDH Surankote began when the previously serving Gynaecologist was transferred. The Doctor who was subsequently posted to Surankote from Poonch reportedly secured a stay order, effectively preventing her from taking up the crucial assignment. BMO Surankote Yousuf Choudhary confirmed to Jammu Jottings, “It has been about five to six months since the transfer. The Doctor who was meant to join in her place did not report for duty here. The post remains vacant.” He acknowledged that intermittent roster-based visits by doctors from Poonch are insufficient to address the continuous need for a dedicated specialist.
CMO Poonch Parvaiz Ahmed Khan, while acknowledging the public grievance and confirming he had spoken to the BMO, stated, “If a transfer to a post is under a stay order, then no doctor can effectively join that position. These stay orders prevent the new appointee from taking charge.” He added that he has brought the matter to the notice of higher-ups, but tangible results are yet to be seen.
However, the narrative of helplessness due to stay orders is being challenged by the emergence of a recent directive from the Director Health Services (DHS) Jammu, Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar. Order No. DHS-J/Adm/2692-2714 dated May 16, 2025, explicitly cancels attachments of medical professionals across the division and directs them to immediately join their original places of posting. This raises a critical question: If the concerned doctor meant for Surankote is on attachment elsewhere, why has this DHS order not been implemented by the CMO Poonch and BMO Surankote to relieve her and ensure her joining at SDH Surankote? Is the “stay order” specifically against the Surankote posting itself, making it immune even to the DHS directive, or is this an instance of selective implementation? This lack of clarity and perceived inaction is fuelling public anger. Attempts to contact DHS Dr. Abdul Hamid Zargar for clarification were reportedly unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.
The crisis in Surankote is now being viewed as symptomatic of a larger malaise within the health department in the district. Sources allege that numerous health professionals remain comfortably attached at the CMO Office Poonch, District Hospital Poonch, and various Blocks, often flouting transfer orders, due to a “Pick and Choose Policy” allegedly benefiting a favoured few. This raises serious questions about the equitable distribution of medical staff and the integrity of the attendance system. “How is their biometric attendance being marked? Is it a case of duty somewhere and attendance marked elsewhere?” a concerned citizen questioned, demanding a thorough check of biometric attendance records and the actual place of posting for both NHM and regular employees. The question “After the Director’s order, have all attached personnel been relieved or not?” looms large.
The suffering of the women in Surankote, who are forced to travel long distances or forgo essential treatment, stands in stark contrast to government slogans like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.” “If this is the state of basic Gynaecological facilities, how are we ensuring the well-being of our daughters and mothers?” lamented a local resident.
An urgent and impassioned appeal is now being made to the Deputy Commissioner (DDC) Poonch, and the Commissioner Secretary Health, J&K, to immediately intervene. The demands include:
Immediate posting of a Gynaecologist to SDH Surankote, by ensuring compliance with the DHS order or by finding an alternative solution to bypass the alleged stay order.
A thorough investigation into why the DHS order (No. DHS-J/Adm/2692-2714 dated 16/05/2025) has not been implemented by CMO Poonch and BMO Surankote to fill the Surankote vacancy if applicable.
A district-wide audit of all attachments in the Health Department in Poonch to identify and end unwarranted attachments, ensuring staff are posted where services are most needed.
Scrutiny of biometric attendance records to ensure accountability and presence of staff at their designated places of duty.
The people of Surankote are watching, hoping that the administration will finally take decisive cognizance of their plight and end the administrative inertia and alleged manipulation that has left their hospital without a vital specialist for far too long. The credibility of the local health administration is at stake, and only swift, transparent action can restore public faith.
