Now, doctors to retire at 60

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 16

The Himachal Government has enhanced the retirement age of medical officers in the Department of Health and Family Welfare from 58 to 60 years.

A notification was issued yesterday. The decision will benefit over 1,483 doctors even as 426 posts of doctor are still lying vacant in various health institutions.

It was being expected that the retirement age of medical officers would be enhanced by two years following the increase in superannuation age of doctors at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) and Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College from 62 to 65 years.

However, the benefit can be availed by the doctors subject to their shifting to four new medical colleges to be set up at Nahan, Chamba, Hamirpur and Nerchowk in Mandi district.

The decision will help tide over the shortage of doctors for two years. The state already faces the shortage of doctors, especially specialists, and making the four new medical colleges functional could prove to be an uphill task for the government.

“We have decided to hold interviews of doctors every Tuesday so that we can fill the vacancies and provide quality medical services to people even in the remote and rural areas of the state,” said Health and Family Welfare Minister Kaul Singh Thakur.

He also added that the government could enhance the retirement age of doctors who will join the four new medical colleges to even 70 years as had been done by the Government of India in some of its health institutions.

The medical college at Nahan is expected to start functioning from August-September this year only while the medical colleges at Hamirpur and Chamba are likely to start from the next academic session.

“The college doctors wish to avail the benefit but are reluctant to move from their place of posting in Shimla and Kangra. They will get additional two years only on shifting to the new colleges,” said officials.