Pathanamthitta: A government job is coveted by many, but doctors in Kerala seem to have an aversion for it, going by the mounting vacancies in the public healthcare sector. Several chairs for doctors lie vacant in government hospitals across the state as those appointed as assistant surgeons shied away. The government had appointed 4,390 doctors over the past five years, but only 1,812 of them joined duty, according to data provided by the department of health under the Right to Information Act.

There are over 200 vacancies for doctors at the four main medical college hospitals where the maximum number of people seek treatment. At district and general hospitals, vacancies exist for 246 doctors in speciality cadres.

Other vacancies: Consultants 126, junior consultants 87, senior consultants 23, chief consultants 10.

Government hospitals now run the show with doctors provided on a temporary basis by the National Rural Health Mission. That hasn't, however, helped to fill up all posts. Those who work take extra burden.

Earlier, new MBBS graduates across the country were reluctant to take up mandatory postings in rural areas owing to lack of facilities at Primary Health Centres and the inconvenience on several counts while working or staying in villages. It is puzzling why so many doctors in Kerala still stay away from government service.

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