Nine of 10 zonal entomologist posts yet to be filled in Maharashtra

PUNE: You are on your own in fight against mosquito-borne diseases.
This is the message the state government seems to be sending out to public as nine of the 10 posts of zonal or junior entomologists, who specialize in identification and control of vector-borne diseases, are yet to be filled up at the state public health department.

And this sorry state of affairs becomes worrisome at a time when dengue cases are peaking in the state.“It is against such pressing concerns that the urgent need is felt for filling up the vacant posts of zonal entomologists. We cannot afford to remain indifferent as active transmission of Zika virus is being reported from Rajasthan and Gujarat,” health activist Sanjeev Dabhade said.
The state health department has eight divisions with 10 posts of zonal entomologists. There is also an apex post of state entomologist, which was filled in 2012-13 after lying vacant for several years. “Barring Pune division, which has a junior entomologist, posts at remaining seven divisions — Aurangabad, Nashik, Thane, Akola, Kolhapur, Latur and Nagpur — have been vacant for last several years,” a health official said.
He said, “Of the 10 sanctioned posts, eight were vacant between 1984 and 2000. In 2000, two posts of zonal entomologists were filled up. But, two entomologists retired in 2005-06 and another entomologist retired in 2018. The lone zonal entomologist, who is posted in Pune division, is set to retire in December this year. That means, all the 10 posts of zonal entomologists will be vacant by year-end.”
As per the government’s norms, 50% posts are filled up through MPSC and remaining 50% are filed through departmental promotions. “An assistant district malaria officer can get elevated to the post of zonal entomologist, but no such promotions were given since 1984,” another official said.
The vacancies, he said, were not due to the lack of skilled and qualified manpower at the state health department. “There must be around 500 laboratory scientific officers who are BSc (zoology) graduates. We also have people in technical cadre who are postgraduates (MSc) and are even doctorate holders (PhD) in zoology,” he added.
Despite repeated attempts, senior public health expert Sanjeev Kamble, director of the state health department, could not be reached for his comment.