Karnataka to offer permanent jobs to contract doctors after five years of service
The Karnataka state government announced a plan in Bengaluru to offer permanent employment to contract doctors who complete five years of satisfactory service. Health Minister UT Khader shared the proposal, which aims to address the acute shortage of medical personnel in public health facilities across the state.
Currently, Karnataka faces a significant deficit of medical staff, with 1,290 MBBS doctor posts and more than 924 specialist vacancies requiring postgraduate qualifications remaining unfilled. To address this, the state health department plans to fill 200 posts through direct recruitment and the remaining 1,000 on a contractual basis.
According to Khader, young doctors have been reluctant to accept contract positions due to concerns over job security. The proposal to absorb these doctors into the permanent workforce after five years of service is designed to act as an incentive for them to join public healthcare.
Under the proposed recruitment process, MBBS or postgraduate doctors can apply directly through their District Health Officer in a format similar to a walk-in interview. Upon consultation with the deputy commissioner and subsequent approval, applicants will receive their appointment orders within a week.
The starting monthly salary for MBBS graduates under this scheme will be Rs 60,000, while specialists will receive Rs 1.1 lakh. Additionally, MBBS doctors who complete five years of service will be given opportunities to pursue postgraduate degrees in specialisations needed by the health department.
To encourage service in rural, border, tribal, and forest regions, the government will offer an extra monthly incentive of Rs 15,000 over and above the regular salary.
The health department also plans to recruit physically and mentally fit retired doctors aged between 60 and 70 on a contract basis to mitigate rural staff shortages in the initial phase.
Furthermore, the department will establish four new advisory committees: the State Vision Committee, Mental Health Committee, Cochlear Implant Committee, and Oral Health Committee. These bodies will serve as a bridge between the public and the department.
