The Khadki Cantonment board (KCB) has been holding walk-in interviews to quickly overcome shortage of doctors and paramedical staff at the cantonment general hospital. To avoid procedural delays associated with recruitment of permanent staff,the KCB has roped in medical officers and paramedical staff like pharmacists and ward boys on contract,through walk-in interviews held over two months. The response was good. Nearly a hundred people turned up for the posts of four doctors and nine paramedical staff, said officials. For permanent employment,the board has to issue national advertisements and the selection,to be made from applicants from across the country,takes long. Three doctors,including a gynaecologist,six ward boys,two ward ayahs and a pharmacist hired through walk-in interviews have already started working. Officials said all paramedical staff posts are now filled,but two more doctors are needed. Around 15 doctors examine 350-400 patients at the OPD every day,besides manning different departments including medicine and paediatrics. KCB vice-president Manish Anand said,We had a staff shortage. But we recently made the recruitment on contract basis. For permanent employment we have to take permission of the Principal Director,Defence Estates,which is rarely given. The hospital had already taken the approval of the Southern Command to employ doctors and paramedical staff through walk-in interviews in a particular payscale. While the consolidated pay fixed for the medical officer and the specialist doctor was Rs 19,850 and Rs 22,200 respectively,that of the nursing staff was fixed at Rs 13,000. Officials said the pay was fixed on the basis of band and grade of post and no allowance given. We hired them for 11 months.They are not entitled to any allowances. Although work experience at the hospital will be an advantage for being considered for permanent employment,it is not necessarily the preference when we make permanent employment. For permanent employment,we will have a wider choice, said an official of the hospital.
