The Bihar state health department is about to appoint 3,100 doctors through the Bihar Technical Commission (BTC) without the candidates having to appear for any written test or interview. The doctors will be appointed solely on the basis of marks. The process is expected to be completed within the next three months.

Health minister Mangal Pandey defended the government’s decision of not having any written test for the appointment by asking if it is not enough that from the time of cracking the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate medical or dental courses, an undergraduate is required to qualify at least nine examinations over a period of four-and-a-half years to become a doctor. The minister did not mention about the acute shortage of doctors in the state.

Dr Ranjit Kumar, general secretary of the Bihar Health Services Association, stated that Bihar was facing over 70% shortage of doctors. This had compelled the government to cancel the interviews.

Kumar added that there are only about 2,700 regular doctors working against a sanctioned strength of 11,393 in health services (district hospitals, primary health centres, additional primary health centres, community health centres, health sub centres, etc.). The condition is only marginally better in medical education (assistant professors and above in medical colleges), with 65% shortage against over 70% in health services.

Citing delay in the appointment of doctors through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), the health department had amended the rules a few months ago to conduct their appointment through the BTC. The BTC will judge the candidates on the basis of marks obtained in undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses and work experience.