The Rajasthan health department announced a significant policy shift on Monday. It will not make fresh postings of doctors in high-demand districts like Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Jaipur. Instead, the department is shifting its focus to ensure a fair distribution of medical staff across the entire state.
Focus on Underserved Regions
Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar issued clear directions during a meeting at the Health Directorate. The new strategy prioritizes tribal areas, desert regions, hilly terrains, and border districts. This move aims to address the critical shortage of doctors in remote locations.
Official figures reveal a pressing issue. Currently, 980 doctors are awaiting posting at the directorate. Their deployment will now target underserved regions and critical healthcare facilities first.
Strict Action Against Non-Compliance
The department adopted a firm stance on doctors who fail to join their posts after transfer. Immediate charge-sheets will be served on those who do not comply with joining orders within the stipulated time. Minister Khimsar reiterated that compliance with transfer orders is mandatory. Disciplinary action will follow any violations.
Streamlining Through RajHealth Portal
All future postings will occur through the RajHealth portal. This digital system will map doctor availability at every health institution in Rajasthan. Staff allocation will then happen strictly based on identified need, not convenience.
Officials will also identify institutions with excess staffing. This includes situations where two doctors are placed against the same post. The surplus staff will be reshuffled to fill gaps in other, needier facilities.
Strengthening Critical Services
The plan includes strengthening vacant posts in medical institutions. This will be done by posting surplus doctors and APO (Additional Posting Order) doctors. The goal is to improve services specifically in remote and high-need districts.
Specialist services will receive reinforced priority. First Referral Units (FRUs) and trauma centres will be made fully functional. Minister Khimsar stated that postings in trauma centres, district hospitals, and community health centres across all districts are a top priority.
Urgent Assessment for Specialist Demand
District authorities have received urgent directives. They must assess the Outpatient Department (OPD) and Inpatient Department (IPD) patient load in their areas. Based on this assessment, they need to send requirement-based demands for specialist doctors within the next 24 hours.
This rapid assessment will allow the health department to issue postings quickly. The postings will target locations where the need for specialists is most critical and immediate.
The overall initiative marks a decisive step toward equitable healthcare access in Rajasthan. It moves resources from overserved urban centers to the state's most vulnerable and remote populations.
