Shortage of Doctors, Specialists and Para-Medical Staff in CGHS: Minutes of the 32nd Meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA)

 Shortage of Doctors, Specialists and Para-Medical Staff in CGHS: Minutes of the 32nd Meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA)

No. 42/05/2022-P&PW(D)
भारत सरकार/Government of India
Ministry of Personnel , Public Grievances & Pensions
Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare

3rd Floor, Lok Nayak Bhawan,
Khan Market, New Delhi- 110003
Date:- 20th May 2022

Minutes of the 32nd Meeting of Standing Committee of Voluntary Agencies (SCOVA) held on 12.04.2022 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble MOS(PP) at Sardar Patel Bhawan, New Delhi.

(32.1) Shortage of Doctors, Specialists and Para-Medical Staff in CGHS posts due to increase in number of patients consequent on merger of Postal Dispensaries and need for creation / sanction of new posts to maintain patient and Doctor/ Para- medical staff ratio

The Central Government Pensioners Welfare Association, Jaipur mentioned that there is a shortage of Doctors, Specialists and Para-medical staff in many CGHS Wellness Centres in the country which is affecting smooth functioning of CGHS. Recruitment of staff on contract basis was resorted to but that has not sorted out the problem. Also, consequent on merger of P&T Dispensaries in CGHS and increase in the strength of beneficiaries, the strength of staff and infrastructure needs to be augmented.

Discussion/Decision on the agenda item

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that in 2019, Postal Dispensaries in 33 cities were taken over and all the dispensaries are functional. These postal dispensaries had the requisite manpower when they were taken over by CGHS. However, the infrastructure in these dispensaries needed improvement for which CGHS is taking necessary action.

As regards shortage of doctors and paramedical staff at CGHS Wellness Centres, out of sanctioned strength of 1516 General Duty Medical Officers, 1227 are in position. There is some time lag between offer of appointment by CGHS Division and actual joining of the candidates. In order to ensure uninterrupted medical services to the beneficiaries, retired doctors are engaged on contractual basis against the posts of Medical Officers, as an interim measure. Presently, a total of 219 retired doctors have been engaged on contract basis in various CGHS Wellness Centres all over India. As regards other staff, recruitment is being done through Staff Selection Commission.

Hon’ble MoS(PP) directed that selection against the vacancies may be finalized early and the Pensioners’ Association may be kept informed of the progress of filling up of the vacancies.

(Action: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)