Guwahati: Despite several schemes being taken for the development of the health sector in Assam, shortage of doctors continue to remain a serious issue.
According to information received from the State Directorate of Health Services at Hangerabari in Guwahati, there is an shortage of doctors in the state and many posts are lying vacant as doctors have left their jobs due to various reasons.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma served as Health minister for a long time during the Congress government and the Sarbananda Sonowal government, has recently brought the health under his control.
174 doctors quit their jobs in five years:
In the last five years, 174 doctors have quit government jobs. Out of them, 98 doctors have voluntarily retired while 76 have resigned from service. It is a matter of grave concern as to why doctors are quitting.
Doctor's resignation:
According to health department data, 7 doctors have resigned in 2021, 24 in 2022, 31 in 2023 and 6 doctors till May this year.
Voluntary Retirement:
Most of the doctors who have taken voluntary retirement are senior doctors. According to the health department data, 21 doctors have opted for voluntary retirement in the state in 2019, 9 in 2020, 34 in 2021, 15 in 2022 and 19 from January 2023 to May this year.
Why doctors quit their jobs:
The number of doctors resigning from government service in the state is increasing every year. A senior doctor, who did not wish to be named, said that the salaries and other facilities are very poor compared to the work pressure in government hospitals. The government has established medical colleges in different places but there is a shortage of doctors. So, many doctors have decided to resign rather than being transferred to the newly established hospitals.
A senior doctor said many doctors have left their government jobs to work in private hospitals as the salaries and other facilities are more attractive than those in government hospitals. In addition, many doctors do not want to work in government hospitals due to the stringent guidelines issued by the government from time to time, he added.
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