Chennai : In a bid to address the persistent shortage of doctors at Urban Health and Wellness Centres (UHWCs), the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has announced the recruitment of 60 MBBS-qualified doctors on a contract basis. This move comes two years after Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated 200 such centres under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, aimed at strengthening urban primary healthcare.
Despite the initiative, many UHWCs — particularly in Manali, Madhavaram, and KK Nagar — have continued to function without doctors, burdening nearby Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and peripheral hospitals.
Recruitment Plan:
- Doctors under 40 years of age will be hired for an 11-month contract with a monthly salary of Rs 60,000.
- The Chennai City Urban Health Mission, under the National Health Mission (NHM), will oversee the recruitment.
- Alongside doctors, 60 nurses, multi-purpose health workers, and support staff will also be recruited.
- The recruitment process is expected to conclude by end of April.
Ground Reality:
Councillors across the city have criticized the temporary nature of these appointments:
- S Jeevan (MDMK), Kodungaiyur Councillor, said the local UHWC has been without a doctor for over a year, leaving nearly 80,000 people in the area reliant on nurses or forced to seek private care.
- M Renuka (CPI), Tondiarpet Councillor, noted that doctors, especially those pursuing postgraduate studies, leave UHWCs within months, often taking up better-paying jobs or government postings.
Demand for Permanent Appointments:
Councillors are urging the government to offer permanent posts to ensure job stability, service record benefits, and better retention. “If civil engineers are recruited permanently, why not doctors?” asked Jeevan, stressing the importance of incentivizing public health workers.
While the recruitment drive may provide temporary relief, the larger issue of staff retention, service quality, and systemic planning remains unresolved.
