Patna: There is an acute shortage of doctors in Bihar, and the health department of the state will be recruiting 3,100 doctors without any written test or interview to the candidates.The recruitment process will be done through the Bihar Technical Commission (BTC), and is expected to be completed within the next three months.
Defending the government’s decision of not having to write any test for the appointment, Health Minister Mangal Pandey on Thursday, January 17 said, “From the time of cracking the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to undergraduate medical or dental courses, an undergraduate medico has to qualify at least nine examinations in four-and-a-half years to become a doctor. Is that not enough?”
Dr. Ranjit Kumar, General Secretary of the Bihar Health Services Association, claimed there was over 70 percent shortage of doctors in the state. This, he said, had compelled the government to do away with interviews.
“There are only around 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 scenario in medical education (assistant professors and above in medical colleges) is marginally better, with 65 % shortage against over 70 % in health services,” said Kumar.
Citing delay in appointment of doctors through the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC), the health department had amended rules a couple of months ago to route their appointment through the Bihar Technical Commission.
The BTC will now judge the candidates purely on the basis of marks obtained in undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses and work experience.
