Vacant posts of doctors under judicial scrutiny, HC asks Odisha Govt to file status report

The matter has been scheduled to be heard next on May 28, 2021.

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As per the latest media report by the New Indian Express, the case goes back to April 2018, when High Court lawyer Chittaranjan Mohanty filed the PIL alleging that a large number of sanctioned posts in District Headquarters Hospitals (DHHs) and medical college hospitals were not being filled up to serve the interest of private nursing homes and clinics.

The daily adds that back in 2018, the State Government via an affidavit had expressed hope to fill those vacancies with the fresh pass out medicos from four Medical College Hospitals set up at Baripada, Balasore, Balangir and Koraput in addition to the MCHs at Cuttack, Burla, and Berhampur.

The State Government in the affidavit filed in November 2018 had also informed the HC that 2,173 posts of assistant surgeons were vacant throughout the State. The numbers of vacant seats were 195 specialists in DHHs, 38 professor posts, 77 associate professor posts and 204 assistant professor posts in three government-run medical and dental colleges.

During the latest hearing on 26.03.2021, after taking note of the case history and details, the Court mentioned in its order,

"An updated status report in the form of an affidavit be filed by the Special Secretary to the Government of Odisha, Family and Welfare Department updating the current status of filling up of the vacancies in the various posts in the various Government Hospitals and facilities. The affidavit be filed not later than 5th May, 2021 with an advance copy to Mr Mohanty, learned Petitioner in person."

To view the original HC order, click on the link below.