Vacancies at PHCs, CHCs may be filled this year

Ahmedabad: For the first time, primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) in the state could get their full strength of Class II medical officers, with the state health department appointing 834 MBBS graduates from 12 government medical colleges, who have to serve in rural areas after completion of their studies, against 775 vacant posts.

Sources said that the department realized that there are 20 medical colleges and not just 12 from where the state government can get MBBS graduates, who have signed bonds for mandatory rural service. The new list of appointments is being drawn up and the number of appointments will increase. There are 4,200 posts of Class II medical officer at PHCs and CHCs to which fresh MBBS graduates are usually appointed.