State to provide 'physically fit' retired docs, para-medical staff 2-yr extension

Kolkata: The Bengal government has decided to reinstate "physically fit" retired doctors, nurses and para-medical staff for a tenure of two years to ensure better health services in the state-run hospitals.

More than 2,000 doctors, nurses and para-medical staff have retired in 2019, 2020 and the state government has decided to reinstate them for another two years' time. In order to get this extension, they need to be physically fit and have a satisfactory track record during the period of their service in different state-run medical centres.

The retirement age for doctors is currently 65 years and 62 years for nurses. For para-medical staff, the retirement age is 60 years. Now, with this decision, those who retired last year or are going to retire in 2020, they can apply for the same if they are willing to work in state-run health centres in any part of Bengal.

The Mamata Banerjee government has so far created 27,202 posts in the health sector and recruited at least 7,000 doctors, 20,493 nurses and 4,601 para-medical staff since 2014 through the Health Recruitment Board.

Moreover, 86 blood banks, nine state-run medical colleges, 42 superspecialty hospitals, 49 Critical Care Units and 26 HDUs have been set up in the state since 2011. Besides development in the health infrastructure, the state government has also ensured free treatment in state-run health centres and hospitals.

The need of reinstating retired doctors, nurses and para-medical staff has been felt as the present strength of man power is stated to be inadequate at the present situation.