SHILLONG, July 24: Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh on Monday sounded critical about the government doctors in the state, saying they lack enthusiasm and commitment as compared to doctors working in the private sector.
“We don’t know why? Is it that the salary is too little? We need to do some soul searching,” the minister said.
“What I have found during my tours is that many doctors are unwilling to go for specialisation. Seems like they are happy with just being government doctors,” she added.
Lyngdoh said the government is taking steps to ensure a larger number of specialist doctors work in the government setup.
She admitted that the state has a shortage of specialist doctors.
“Government run hospitals need more gynecologists, pediatricians, nephrologists, and other specialists. We need psychiatrists since mental health is a big issue and there is a shortage of anesthetists since surgeries cannot be done without an anesthetist,” she said.
She said Meghalaya Medical Services Recruitment Board (MMSRB), which was set up with the objective of addressing the problem of irregular recruitment, will conduct the second phase of recruitment of specialist doctors.
Mentioning that some doctors are being sent for short-term courses, she said the first batch of doctors are undergoing short-term certificate programmes in various fields like gynecology, radiology, speciality in ultrasound and blood banks.
Lyngdoh also spoke about the need for a transfer and posting policy for doctors and nurses.
“Everybody is of the opinion that certain doctors remain in certain parts of the state. There are certain doctors or nurses who refuse to go to certain parts of the state. This is hampering the services rendered by health facilities,” she said while adding that the government would take steps to sort out the problems.
