SHILLONG: Several doctors from outside the state do not want to work in NEIGRIHMS though their pay and other facilities are on a par with AIIMS and other national medical institutes.
There are at least three vacancies of specialists in each of the over 30 departments in NEIGRIHMS which are yet to be filled.
“There were occasions when we gave advertisements at least 17 times, but there are no takers,” said Dr A.C Phukan, medical superintendent of NEIGRIHMS.
He also added that those who were selected in the past did not turn up though they made assurances that they would join the institute.
While NEIGRIHMS functionaries point out lack of facilities, including educational prospects for the children of the doctors who wish to serve at the institute as the reason for the lukewarm response, sources say the North East should no longer be considered as a remote and inaccessible place by the doctors who wish to serve in this part of the country.
Sources added that while defence personnel serve in the North East with their family facing hardships, it is a matter of concern that doctors who are supposed to have taken the Hippocratic oaths to serve the people are shying away from their commitment.
However, during the recent interactions with a select group of media persons, NEIGRIHMS director P. Bhattacharyya said there are several sanctioned posts in many departments.
There were instances when doctors who had joined some departments left as they found that the place did not provide them any future prospects and a feeling of belongingness.
According to Bhattacharyya, the learning resource allowance was stopped following complaints from certain quarters which otherwise would have been an additional attraction.
