‘Ayush doctors are depressed due to poor placements’

BHOPAL: One in 10 Ayush doctors are suffering from depression due to poor placements, claims the Ayush Doctors’ Association. About 5% of these unemployed doctors would be over 35 years and become ineligible for government jobs in 2018.

“Over three years, state government assurances have not translated into action. There is shortage of medical practitioners in MP. There are provisions for enrolling Ayush doctors in primary health care facilities. The government should act now to fill these vacancies,” said Bhopal-based Ayush Doctors Association national spokesperson Dr Rakesh Pandey.

MP has one of the largest number of Ayush—Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy—colleges. Bhopal also now has more Ayush medical colleges than any other city in India. Over 3,000 new graduates join the work force each year. Estimates are that barely 20% of them get decent placements.

Government postings (permanent and contractual) are considered an attractive option by the candidates. A contractual Ayush doctor is paid about 30,000 per month. Job openings through PSC allows a salary of about Rs 42,000 per month.

Government openings for Ayush doctors has been few and far in between. Medical course study costin private Ayush college for 5.5 year graduate programme costs over Rs 15 lakh. There have been many who have been unable to pay their loans on time, said Dr Pandey.

“Itis not doctors but their families who are suffering. Depression is common among youngsters who feel dejected. Government policy needs to address the situation,” he added.

Total number of Ayush doctors in MP are about 24,000 Ayush. 3,500 are termed to be depressed and about 1,000 of them are categorised as severe category.