Anantnag: Dozens of Kashmiri doctors, currently serving in remote and underserved areas of Jammu under the government’s rotational transfer policy, have appealed to the Health and Medical Education Department to post them back to the Valley after completing their mandatory tenure.
For the past three years, these doctors have worked in difficult terrains of Jammu, often facing limited infrastructure, logistical hurdles, and the strain of being away from their families. While acknowledging that their presence has helped strengthen healthcare delivery in far-flung regions, the doctors say the personal and emotional costs have been immense.
“Having served for the agreed duration, we seek an opportunity to return to our home region, reunite with our families, and contribute to the healthcare system in Kashmir,” one of the doctors told Kashmir News Trust.
Another doctor shared a deeply personal ordeal, recalling how he lost both parents during his posting outside Kashmir. “My mother and father died in the same year, and I couldn’t give them proper treatment because I was far away from home. I feel guilty that I was not a good son, as I couldn’t be there for them in their last days,” he said with grief.
The group, comprising nearly 100 medical officers and specialists, has repeatedly raised the matter with higher authorities but says their pleas have gone unheard. “We have raised this issue several times, but nothing has been done so far,” another doctor remarked.
The appeal, they emphasize, is not only about personal relief but also about ensuring fairness in the rotational system. They argue that a balanced transfer mechanism would help maintain healthcare standards on both sides of the Pir Panjal.
“This appeal is not just about us, it’s about justice, balance, and the well-being of doctors and patients alike,” the doctors collectively stated.
As the winter approaches and the demand for healthcare services in the Valley rises, the doctors hope their voices will finally be heard. For now, they continue their service in Jammu, waiting for the department to respond to their request for transfer. [KNT]
