735 doctors get extension in Rajasthan amid COVID surge

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Medical and Health Department has extended up to June 2024 the service period of 735 doctors working on an urgent temporary basis (UTB). 

Director (Public Health) Dr Ravi Prakash Mathur said 357 medical officers, whose service period was ending on December 31, 2023, have got extension of six months.

According to an official statement, the said appointment will be valid till June 30, 2024, or till the personnel are available through regular recruitment, whichever is earlier.

The step has been taken to maintain smooth system of health services in view of the ongoing Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra in the state and the detection of a new variant of COVID-19, it added.  

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that Rajasthan will witness a major expansion in health infrastructure as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate five new medical colleges and lay the foundation stone for seven medical colleges in Sikar. The medical colleges include Chittorgarh, Dholpur, Sirohi, Sikar and Sri Ganganagar and the seven medical colleges to get the foundation stone are Baran, Bundi, Karauli, Jhunjhunu, Sawai Madhopur, Jaisalmer and Tonk. All preparations are being made by officials of the medical education department and administrators of medical colleges. A video-conferencing event will be organised by the officials in Sikar. 

The medical colleges are being established under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for “Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/ referral hospitals”. The five medical colleges inaugurated by the Prime Minister have been developed at a cumulative cost of more than Rs 1400 crore, while the seven medical colleges whose foundation stone will be laid will be built at a cumulative cost of Rs 2275 crore.