The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Vijaypur, Samba district, Jammu, is facing significant staffing challenges, with over 45% of faculty and non-faculty positions remaining unfilled. Despite this, the hospital has commenced Out Patient Department (OPD) services from August 1.

Key statistics:

- 183 sanctioned faculty posts, but only 99 (54%) filled

- 1267 sanctioned non-faculty posts, but only 650 (51%) filled

Recruitment is ongoing, but the institute faces significant vacancies. Notably:

- 92% of senior residents are from Jammu and Kashmir

- 59% of faculty members are from Jammu and Kashmir

At least five doctors have resigned from AIIMS Jammu to date, without specified reasons.

Once complete, the institute will have:

- 750 beds, including 193 ICU beds

- 20 ultra-modern OTs

- 50 departments with 20 super-specialties

Academic programs:

- 100 MBBS students annually

- 60 Nursing students annually

- 45 postgraduate seats across Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry

- Super Specialization courses (DM/MCh) expected to start in January 2025

Background:

- 22 new AIIMS approved under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)

- 19 AIIMS functional, 2 (including AIIMS Awantipora) yet to be made functional

- AIIMS Vijaypur set up at a cost of Rs 1,661 crore

- AIIMS Awantipora set up at a cost of Rs 1,828 crore

- Foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 3, 2019

- Initial deadline: 4 years; now expected to be completed by 2025

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Vaishnavi Dalvi/MSM)