Maha: 190 medical officers get promotion to boost healthcare in traibal, remote areas
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has granted conditional promotions to 190 medical officers in the public health department as part of an effort to strengthen healthcare delivery in tribal, remote, and Naxal-affected regions of the state.
In the initial phase, these 190 officers from Group ‘B’ of the Maharashtra Medical and Health Services have been elevated to Group ‘A’ positions, with the advancement contingent upon fulfilling the required service terms. Authorities have directed all promoted medical officers to assume their new roles without delay. According to The Daily, the promotions are based on the condition of being willing to serve in tribal, remote, and difficult regions of the state.
The move comes amid persistent concerns about staff shortages in the state’s public health network, where doctors in several government facilities are often responsible for serving populations far larger than the recommended limits. The government hopes that the new postings will help address long-standing gaps in medical staffing and improve access to essential care in underserved areas.
As per the instructions given to the department's secretary, commissioner, and senior officers, the promotion process was conducted in a highly transparent manner, through counselling, and based on the preferences of the medical officers. As a result, vacant positions in many healthcare institutions across the state will be filled immediately. This will ensure more effective healthcare services, especially in primary health centers, particularly in tribal, remote, and rural areas.
“I am confident that this decision will resolve an important administrative issue, boost the morale of the promoted medical officers, and lead to many positive results in healthcare services. The government resolution regarding the promotions has been issued, and the medical officers have been instructed to immediately join their new postings, subject to the terms and conditions of the government resolution. This is an important step towards making healthcare services more robust and effective, and I am confident that the promoted medical officers will uphold their commitment to the public by providing excellent healthcare services,” Prakash Abitkar, Minister of Public Health and Family Welfare, Maharashtra, Stated.
Health minister Prakash Abitkar told Hindustan Times, “Currently, doctors and staff prefer to work in metros and cities. Hence, promotions will be given to only those ready to work in tribal, remote, and rural parts of the state. Conditional promotions will help fill senior-level posts quickly and strengthen healthcare delivery where it is needed the most.”
