Devbrat Patnaik

Bhubaneswar: While formulation of a State Health Policy and Vision for 2025 is already in the process, Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Naba Kishore Das today informed that the government has decided to extend the tenure of contractual doctors by two more years. With this, their retirement age which was 68 years earlier has now been raised to 70 years, Das said.

Following the second day conference of chief district medical officers (CDMOs) today, Das stated, "The major problem Odisha is grappling with now is most of the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) lack doctors. We have suggested the CDMOs to hold a meeting with the ex-doctors in their concerned districts by July 15. Special provisions are available wherein contractual doctors and even paramedic staff can be assigned at the hospitals."

The minister further said, "I have asked them (CDMOs) to chalk out a plan and discuss with all the ex-doctors in this regard. Today in the meeting, I have directed to raise the retirement age of contractual doctors by two more years. I hope doctors' availability will sort many problems."

On day-1, the CDMOs were asked to collect feedback suggestions from the people, especially from the grassroots level, to provide quality health service to all.

Das has asked the CDMOs to prepare a 100-days action plan for ensuring quality health service to all. “The focus has shifted from fragmented service delivery approach to comprehensive and determined method for quality health care. Efforts are on to make Odisha a surplus state in the field of doctors and paramedics,” the minister said earlier.

scrollToTop