State raises retirement age to 60 to retain 80 govt doctors

The decision to retain the retiring cadre comes before the onset of the monsoons when vector-borne diseases such as dengue, malaria, typhoid, gastroenteritis, and cholera are at their peak and public hospitals run more than 100 per cent to their capacity, thereby demanding more medical staff.

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Currently, of the 7,500 posts for doctors in the public health department, there is a vacancy of over 25 per cent.

While following the most recent round of counselling last month, the public health department issued 650 appointment letters and 15 days period to doctors for joining their service, senior officials admitted there is little interest amongst medical practitioners to join government hospitals in rural areas. Last year, of the 850 appointment letters issued in October, 50 per cent did not join the services.

“We are facing acute shortage specially at specialist and senior levels. Very few are ready to work in rural areas,” an official said.

While the retirement age of teaching staff under Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) was increased from 58 years to 62 in 2010, then from 62 to 63 in 2013 and finally to 64 years in 2014, the retirement limit for practicing medical practitioners has remained 58 years.

Sources in the health ministry said that discussions are now underway to permanently increase the retirement age from 58 to 60 years to provide a longer availability of senior doctors in rural hospitals.