0 MBBS, 1.5% staff nurse, 2% Ayush MOs join against 3,761 advertised posts

Nagpur: Not a single MBBS doctor has joined from a paltry 16 who were issued appointment letters under the state public health department’s massive recruitment drive to fill up 3,761 different posts in Nagpur division.
Similarly, just 10 Ayush medical officers and 38 staff nurse against 80 and 239 appointment orders, respectively, have joined as on July 13. Though 69 positions of physician, 36 anaesthetist too were advertised, the division didn’t receive a single application.
As per the department’s records, total 73 health care professionals have accepted the job offers for postings across Nagpur, Wardha, Gondia, Bhandara, Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts.
The posts were advertised on April 16 to consolidate health care workforce in the event of substantial hike in Covid cases.
Fear of Covid infection, low pay scale and lack of good employment opportunity are the major reasons for the abysmal response to the drive. The district collectors have now been advised to hold recruitment of health staff at district level, sources said.
“Holding the drive at division level opens up the possibility of posting outside a candidates’ home district. Given that the offers not for more than three months, why would anyone join. Only those in dire needs may opt,” they said.
Officials said the posts were advertised as per requirement received routed through the district collectors. “Fresh advertisement through the collector would ensure a candidate gets a post within the home district,” officials said.
In sharp contrast, the recruitment drive for community health officer (CHO) at health and wellness centres under the National Health Mission has attracted stupendous response because of a long tenure. Against 397 orders issued, 384 have joined duty. Officials said the CHO also undergo training and have to give a bond. “In case they refuse to join after training, they are liable to pay Rs1.14lakh bond surety,” they said.
Indian Medical Association Nagpur immediate past president Dr Kush Jhunjhunwala said a number of factors are responsible for the poor response to this drive. “Obviously, no one would want to join if there is no job security. Duties need to be specified and professional must know what will happen in case they get infected. Like the government provided a cover of Rs50lakh to its doctors and paramedics staff, same must be the case with contractual staff. The pay scale is also not attractive. Also, the posting are in remote places where one faces food and accommodation problems,” he said.
Dr Jhunjhunwala said the government must at least offer a tenure of six months to one year beside add-on like protective gears, family cover in case of death, and quarantine facilities if found positive etc.
He also said that the scope for CHO is much better. “They also get the option of contract renewal after 11-month. Pay scale is also good,” he said.