Haryana announces recruitment of 450 doctors amid staff shortages
State Plans Hiring of 450 Doctors to Address Healthcare Gaps
Gurgaon: The Haryana government has announced plans to recruit 450 doctors for government hospitals as the state continues to face shortages across public healthcare facilities. The department is expected to finalise the recruitment schedule in the coming weeks.
Earlier this year, the government had advertised 750 posts, of which over 530 doctors were appointed in March.
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Haryana currently has 3,305 medical and senior medical officers for a population of 2.8 crore, leaving a vacancy rate of 23%. The number falls short of the World Health Organization’s recommended doctor-patient ratio of 100 doctors per lakh population. Health officials said the addition of new medical officers will improve access, particularly in blocks where outpatient departments are running with only one or two doctors.
The shortages are evident across the state’s 59 civil hospitals, 119 community health centres, and 486 primary health centres, where both outpatient and inpatient departments are overloaded. Gaps in critical clinical and technical departments have also contributed to increased waiting times for patients. Out of the 23,607 sanctioned posts, an estimated 6,000 remain vacant.
Another senior administrator noted that the core issue is not a lack of posts but reluctance among qualified doctors to take up government roles.
The official said that a government job is seen as stable and attractive, yet when it comes to medical officers, the response is lukewarm, as many doctors prefer private practice or opportunities outside the state.
Data from 2022 reflects the same pattern: out of 2,389 posts filled across the state, only 690 of the 855 medical officers appointed actually joined their positions.
Also Read:Haryana to appoint Specialist Doctors at Medical College Hospitals
A district-level health officer said the state will need to reconsider incentives. "Rural postings continue to be avoided. Unless the govt improves housing, allowances, and security at some stations, the joining rate will remain low," the officer said, reports TOI.
