Shimla: In a fresh move to address the shortage of doctors in Himachal’s government hospitals and bring better healthcare services closer to people’s homes, the state government has initiated the recruitment process to fill 228 posts of Medical Officers. The Department of Health and Family Welfare has begun the process, which covers 70 backlog posts and 158 new posts.
This means that alongside filling long-vacant positions, the government is also preparing to increase the availability of physicians at health institutions. The department has forwarded the proposal for recruitment to these posts to the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. With the recruitment process now set to move forward, the appointment of new doctors is expected to bring relief to the state’s health institutions.
158 New Posts Among 228, 70 Backlog
As per the directions of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Department of Health and Family Welfare has initiated the process to fill 228 posts of Medical Officers (General Wing). These include 70 backlog posts and 158 new posts. Filling these positions will help clear existing vacancies in the health department and increase the availability of physicians.
The department has sent the proposal for recruitment to the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. However, a detailed schedule regarding the subsequent recruitment process and appointments has not yet been made public.
194 Doctors Appointed This Month
To increase the availability of doctors in the state, the government has also appointed 194 doctors this month, including 118 specialist doctors. These doctors were appointed after completing their postgraduate courses and senior residency periods. The newly appointed doctors have been posted at various civil hospitals, community health centres, regional and zonal hospitals, and medical colleges across the state. This will help strengthen medical services at various health institutions.
Department to Also Fill Assistant Professor Post in Gastroenterology
Along with the Health Department, the Department of Medical Education and Research has also initiated a recruitment process. Under this, one post of Assistant Professor (Super Speciality) in Gastroenterology will be filled through promotion. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Family Welfare said, “The state government is making continuous efforts to enhance excellence in the health sector and provide better and accessible healthcare services to people near their homes.”
The spokesperson said the government is prioritising strengthening health infrastructure while ensuring an adequate availability of doctors and other medical professionals. New recruitments and the deployment of newly appointed doctors will improve health services and also help reduce the workload on existing doctors.
