Government admits to shortage of doctors in CGHS dispensaries

NEW DELHI: The government today admitted that there is "some" shortage of doctors in the Central Government Health Scheme ( CGHS) dispensaries across the country.

"There is some shortage of doctors in the CGHS dispensaries across the country. Main reason of shortage of doctors in CGHS is low rate of joining medical officers," Health Minister J P Nadda told Lok Sabha.

Elaborating about steps taken to rectify the situation, Nadda said requisitions have been sent to UPSC to fill up vacant post while promotion of senior administrative grade has been made time bound without linkage to vacancies.

He said that the age of superannuation of non teaching and public health specialists has been increased from 60 to 62 years while the period of study leave for CHS doctors has been increased to 36 months as against 24 months for other central government employees.

As per the data, out of the total of 1,383 sanctioned doctors, 381 are vacant in the country. The maximum 699 posts are sanctioned in Delhi in which 190 are lying vacant.

Replying to another question, Nadda said that in 2015, 224 posts are vacant in three central government hospitals in Delhi - Safdarjung, RML hospital and Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals.

In AIIMS, in the same year period, 213 posts are vacant.

He said that the reasons behind vacancy in CHS cadre are low rate of joining, recruitment of teaching, non teaching and public health sub cadres could not be done during 2011-13 and non availability of eligible candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC communities against seats reserved for them.