In a significant move to bolster its public health infrastructure, the Bihar government on Monday appointed a large batch of 1,283 AYUSH doctors. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar presided over the distribution ceremony, personally handing over appointment letters to a select group of new recruits as a symbolic gesture.
Major Recruitment Drive for Holistic Healthcare
The grand function was held at the Samvad Hall within the Chief Minister's Secretariat in Patna. According to details released by the health department, this massive recruitment is specifically aimed at further strengthening the healthcare system across the state. The newly appointed doctors represent various streams of alternative medicine under the AYUSH umbrella.
The break-up of the 1,283 appointments is as follows: 685 Ayurvedic doctors, 393 Homeopathy doctors, and 205 Unani doctors. The selection and posting were conducted in a transparent manner based on merit lists and the availability of vacancies in health institutions.
Statewide Posting and Key Responsibilities
A communique from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) clarified the posting process. The new doctors have been assigned to health institutions of various levels across all 38 districts of Bihar, taking into account the preferred districts indicated by the doctors themselves.
Their roles will be multifaceted and critical to improving grassroots healthcare delivery. The key responsibilities outlined for the new AYUSH doctors include:
- Running Outpatient Departments (OPDs) under AYUSH medical services.
- Serving in 'mobile medical teams' operated under the National Child Health Programme.
- Participating in other key initiatives run under the National Health Mission (NHM).
This strategic deployment is expected to have a direct impact on community health. Health check-ups for children in schools will be facilitated more easily, and general healthcare facilities at various institutions are set to receive a substantial upgrade.
A Step Towards Enhanced Public Health Services
The government communique emphasized the expected outcomes of this large-scale appointment. With these doctors joining their respective posts, timely health check-ups for school children and the identification and treatment of diseases will become significantly more convenient and widespread.
The presence of these medical professionals is anticipated to plug gaps in the rural and urban healthcare network, making systematic check-ups and alternative treatment options more accessible to the public. This initiative is seen as a concrete step towards further improving the overall healthcare ecosystem in Bihar.
The event was attended by several high-profile dignitaries, reflecting the importance the state government attaches to healthcare. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, Water Resources Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary, and Health Minister Mangal Pandey were present. Senior bureaucrats, including Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit and Development Commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh, also graced the occasion. The ceremony began with Health Department Secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh welcoming the Chief Minister by presenting him with a sapling.
