Tenure of 600 Raj doctors not extended this yr, crisis looms

Jaipur: Health department has terminated services of 600 doctors who were working on urgent temporary basis (UTB) as their tenure ended on March 31. This has created an acute shortage of doctors in govt hospitals across the state.
Every year, the health department extended their tenure but this year the govt has not done so, citing financial constraints.
Additionally, 130 doctors who received transfer orders in Jan have not reported to their new postings due to dissatisfaction with their assigned locations.
There is, thus, a sudden and acute shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas where these doctors were serving in primary health centres. The threat of seasonal diseases and heat-related illnesses is looming large, and the shortage of doctors could cripple healthcare facilities in the state.
A senior health department official said Thursday, "The tenure of these 600 doctors ended on March 31. Earlier, we extended their tenure, but this time around we have not received financial approval for retaining these doctors as of now, which is why orders have been issued for the termination of their services with immediate effect from April 1."
A state-level video conference was held on April 1, in which directions were issued to all districts to terminate the services immediately on April 1 itself. Officials of the health department issued the notice in their respective districts and asked these doctors to stop reporting to duty.
The health department has no alternative plan to fill the posts left vacant by these doctors.
Doctors Welfare Federation India (DWF) has expressed its concern. National president Dr Chandraveer Singh said, "We have appealed to the state govt to not discontinue the services of the doctors as this will cripple healthcare facilities. Many community health centres and primary health centres will be closed if there is no doctor there."