New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry’s Department of Health and Family Welfare, responsible for implementing central health schemes, is facing a staff shortage, with 29% of sanctioned posts lying vacant, according to a recent parliamentary standing committee report.
Vacancy Breakdown
Out of 1,486 sanctioned positions across Groups A, B, and C, 428 positions remain unfilled:
Group A (Gazetted Officers – Policy & Administration): 16% vacancy
Group B (Mid-level positions): 27% vacancy
Group C (Operational staff): 39% vacancy
The report, chaired by Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav, noted negligible improvement in recruitment compared to 2023-24, when 454 posts were vacant.
Government’s Response & Recruitment Efforts
A health ministry source stated that filling vacancies is a continuous process, and efforts are being made through UPSC and SSC. The ministry is working with cadre-controlling authorities like DoPT and has launched Mission Recruitment to expedite hiring.
Committee Recommendations
The parliamentary committee has urged the health ministry to:
Enhance digital proficiency among officials to adapt to increasing technology integration in healthcare.
Address staff shortages at AIIMS, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, JIPMER Puducherry, and CGHS dispensaries for better healthcare delivery.
The committee has emphasized urgent hiring to ensure the efficient functioning of national health initiatives.
