Rajasthan Minister supports proposal to increase Medical Officer posts, writes to CM

Jaipur: Following a meeting with a delegation of doctors, Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Kirodi Lal Meena has responded positively to the demand for increasing the medical officer posts in the ongoing recruitment. The Minister responded positively and has written to the Chief Minister, recommending an increase in the sanctioned posts.

This follows a formal request by the United Doctors Front (UDF), which highlighted the shortage of doctors in the state and called for an increase in the number of medical officer posts from 1,700 to 2,550.  

Medical Dialogues recently reported that highlighting that only 1,700 medical officers are set to be recruited after a two-year gap, the Rajasthan doctors urged the government to increase the number of posts in the upcoming Medical Officer recruitment 2024 to at least 2550, calling the current figure inadequate to meet the healthcare needs.

Also read- 1,700 Medical Officer posts Insufficient, Rajasthan doctors push for expansion

Submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, the doctors under the banner of the United Doctors' Front (UDF) pointed out that this is the first medical officer recruitment after a gap of two years, and only 1,700 positions have been announced by the government. This number, they say, is too low given the healthcare demands and the previous government's promise of recruiting 3,000 medical officers annually.

Referring to past recruitments, the UDF stated that 2,000 posts were filled in 2021 and 1,765 in the following year. With over 2,500 posts currently lying vacant, the doctors' body said that recruiting only 1,700 doctors would not be enough to meet the needs of the public or provide fair opportunities to qualified medical graduates.

They further pointed out that according to a recent statement by the state Health Minister in the Assembly, filling 1700 posts will address about 66% of the current vacancies, indicating that over 2500 posts are presently vacant.

Considering the large number of unfilled posts, Dr. Kirori Lal acknowledged the demand and urged the Chief Minister’s Office to take necessary action as per rules to increase the number of posts in the current recruitment process.

The letter mentioned, "Dr. Lakshya Mittal, President, UNITED DOCTORS FRONT (UDF), has submitted a request letter informing that currently around 4990 posts are vacant in the Medical and Health Department. However, the department has issued a notification for only 1765 posts for the Medical Officer Recruitment 2024. 

Hence, he has requested that the number of Medical Officer posts in the said recruitment be increased. Therefore, the received letter is forwarded with a recommendation that necessary action be taken as per rules regarding increasing the number of posts in the above recruitment." 

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, UDF Rajasthan State President, Dr Bharat Prateek said, "We certainly welcome the minister's letter to the Chief Minister as a positive step in the right direction. It reflects a recognition of the urgent need to strengthen the healthcare system by increasing the number of medical officer posts. While we are cautiously optimistic that this initiative will move forward, we also understand that such decisions involve multiple layers of approval and budgetary considerations."

He further said, "If there is no timely progress, the association will continue to engage constructively with the authorities and explore all democratic means to ensure our demands are addressed. With seat increase the welfare of patients and the working conditions of healthcare professionals across the state will be enhanced."

Also read- Rajasthan MBBS Doctors give protest ultimatum to state Demanding Release of Medical Officer Recruitment Exam dates