694 Senior Medical Officers appointed, Massive Recruitment Drive Underway
Bihar Government Rolls Out Massive Medical Recruitment Initiative
Patna: In a bid to strengthen Bihar’s healthcare infrastructure, Health Minister Mangal Pandey distributed appointment letters to 694 senior medical officers at a ceremony in Patna on Tuesday. These officers will be deployed across healthcare institutions in all 38 districts of the state.
According to the news reports, the appointments include 447 full-time medical officers under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), three senior medical officers for the National Tuberculosis Control Programme, and 145 have been posted in Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres, blood banks, blood collection units, and District Early Intervention Centres under the National Child Health Programme. Additionally, 99 second medical officers have also been added to the system.
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Medical Dialogues had previously reported that the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report on Bihar’s healthcare sector has pointed out an alarming shortage of healthcare staff, with only 4,741 (42 per cent) Allopathic Doctors posted out of the sanctioned 11,298 posts, as of March 2023.
He mentioned that Ayush practitioners would soon be appointed to enhance healthcare services. In addition, the recruitment of 4,500 community health officers under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) is expected to be completed within the same period. Alongside, ongoing recruitment drives are bringing in nurses, paramedics, medical officers, and specialists, both on a regular and contractual basis.
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Notably, the last ten days have witnessed the recruitment of over 8,800 doctors and nurses. This includes 1,450 doctors and specialists, with 228 receiving appointment letters on May 31 alone. An additional 509 doctors have been appointed through bond postings. Moreover, 7,468 Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) have been inducted—the largest ANM recruitment drive since 2019.
According to TOI, "Under the able leadership of Nitish Kumar, basic health infrastructure has significantly improved. Work is progressing rapidly to make healthcare transparent and accessible. The government is committed to strengthening health services and expanding treatment options in its hospitals," he said.
Mangal credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for prioritising the healthcare sector and ensuring financial support. “They never allowed a lack of funds to hinder Bihar’s medical infrastructure development,” he said, reports Patna Press.
