Indore: Concerned over lack of doctors in the state, Health Minister Tulsi Silawat on Wednesday announced that the government has been planning to extend the retirement age of doctors by one year.
Addressing doctors during a district level camp of Ayushman Bharat scheme organised at Government PC Sethi Hospital, he said, “We are planning to extend the retirement age of doctors by one year. At present, the retirement age of doctors is 65 years which will be extended to 66 years.”
The health minister said that they will put a proposal for extending the age in next cabinet meeting. The initiative will be taken to cope with the scarcity of doctors in government set-up in state.
Meanwhile, a delegation of doctors expressed their displeasure over the proposal and met Silawat for not extending the age of doctors and let it be a volunteer decision.
According to general secretary of Madhya Pradesh Medical Officers’ Association Dr Madhav Hasani, “Doctors are also normal people and we also have health issues. Instead of extending the retirement age, the government should review why new doctors are not joining the department.”
Earlier, the government had planned to extend the age of doctors by three years but it was reviewed after the protest by the doctors. “Doctors must be retired at the age of 62 and the government should make the decision voluntarily for the doctors. Those who are fit can join the service again on contractual basis,” Dr Hasani proposed.
