State government aims to operationalise non-functional health centres and strengthen rural healthcare before monsoon
Mumbai: In a major move to address the ongoing shortage of medical professionals, Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar on Wednesday announced plans to recruit 5,000 doctors and healthcare personnel across the state.
The decision comes as several healthcare facilities continue to struggle due to a lack of doctors and specialists, impacting service delivery in both rural and semi-urban areas.
Focus on Reviving Non-Functional Health Centres
According to the health department, the recruitment drive is aimed at making newly constructed as well as currently non-functional healthcare centres operational. Many institutions, including First Referral Units (FRUs), remain shut or underutilised due to staff shortages.
Speaking during the ‘My Village, Healthy Village’ campaign in Pune, the minister highlighted that several facilities have not started functioning despite being ready, solely due to the unavailability of doctors.
Recruitment Process Underway
The state has already taken initial steps to address the issue. Around 450 medical officers have been appointed so far, while the recruitment process for an additional 1,500 medical officers is currently in progress.
“The proposal for appointing 5,000 doctors and staff is currently with the High-Power Committee. Approval is expected within a couple of months, after which deployment will begin,” Abitkar said.
Target to Improve Services Before Monsoon
The government aims to make all non-functional and newly built healthcare centres operational before the onset of the monsoon season. This move is expected to significantly improve access to healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote regions.
Preventive Healthcare Campaign Gains Momentum
The ‘My Village, Healthy Village’ initiative focuses on promoting preventive healthcare practices through community participation. The campaign has reportedly received a positive response across districts, with efforts centred on improving health awareness and reducing disease burden.
Senior Officials Attend Programme
The event was attended by key officials, including Nipun Vinayak, E Ravindran, Sunil Bhokare, Gajanan Patil, and Nitin Ambadekar, among others.
With this large-scale recruitment drive, Maharashtra aims to bridge critical gaps in its healthcare workforce and ensure better service delivery across the state.
