Rajasthan’s Health Minister Parsadi Lal Meena started a front against over 3,000 government doctors for avoiding duties assigned to them in the villages, towns and smaller districts.

A stir came into the air, with the minister’s announcement in the assembly to end the deputations of government doctors who were posted in rural areas, yet staying in cities. Many hospitals in rural areas of the state remained closed due to a shortage of doctors and health workers. Over 3,500 posts of doctors were vacant in the rural areas throughout the entire state due to the hesitation of doctors to serve in villages.

With a focus to provide better health facilities to the people and address the shortcomings in the medical facilities the Gehlot government in Rajasthan plans to bring the Right to Healthcare Bill soon. 

Reports from the health department state that, there are 3,688 posts of doctors in 33 districts. About 1,000 doctors were posted in medical colleges without any posts, although they get their salary from the place where they are posted.

Meena said that he had visited community health centres (CHCs) and six CHCs and 200 Primary Health Centers were there, where not a single doctor was present. Also, around 12,000 ANMs (auxiliary nurse and midwives) were recruited, under the National Rural Health Mission, yet, 1700 sub-centres had no ANMs.

He appealed to MLAs not to recommend anyone, nor entertain recommendations related to postings and deputations.

Source: The New Indian Express