Date:14/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/14/stories/2007111453081100.htm

National

Task force to assess shortage of doctors

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The government will soon set up a task force to assess the shortage of medical professionals and healthcare workers.

Speaking at the 9th meeting of the Central Council for Health and Family Welfare here on Tuesday, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss admitted to a shortage of doctors and health care workers. He said there was a proposal to enhance the number of seats in medical and dental colleges.

The government had also chalked out a proposal to set up more nursing colleges to train nurses and para-medical staff, he added.

To meet the shortage of specialists, the government has sanctioned posts as per requirements, increased the age of retirement from 60 to 62. Specialists would be allowed to continue until 65 years. Postgraduate seats would also be increased on a priority basis.

Stressing on the need for public-private partnership in the health sector, the Ministry officials said the compensation paid to the health workers must be increased.