In a recent meeting with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Comrade Yousuf Tarigami, and Dr Mehboob Beig discussed the issue of SKIMS (Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science) losing its autonomy. They emphasized the need to allow the institute to fill up vaccine positions for patient care. They pointed out the 50% shortage of technical and nursing staff, affecting other healthcare institutions as well. Kashmir's hospitals face severe vacancies, with 275 positions vacant in SMHS Hospital alone. The government's decision to downsize has led to a net fall of 129,301 employees in the last two years, despite rising costs. The region faces rampant joblessness, with a 23.1% unemployment rate, leaving around eight lakh youths jobless.