Shinde hands appointment orders to 1,440 new medical officers in public health department

Maharashtra's public health department has taken in 1,440 new medical officers at one go. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde handed appointment orders to these newly appointed Group-A medical officers on Wednesday. He told the new doctors to provide good healthcare and win the trust of patients.

Speaking at the appointment order distribution ceremony in Mumbai on November 4, Shinde said that becoming a doctor is an achievement in itself, but winning society's trust through dedicated service is the real reward. According to him, a doctor should give a patient not just treatment but also emotional support and reassurance. Making the patient feel better and bringing a smile to their face is the true measure of a doctor's success, he said.

Shinde said about 700 of the 1,440 new medical officers are women. He praised the recruitment process as transparent and merit-based. He also said the energy of young doctors should be visible in the state's health services. He recalled that rural areas have earlier faced a shortage of MBBS doctors. The new appointments will strengthen the government health system and improve the reach of services, he said. He also said further recruitment should be carried out wherever needed.

On doctors' facilities, Shinde said that if good service is expected of them, they should get good accommodation, a clean environment, safe drinking water, adequate medicines, fully equipped operation theatres and necessary medical equipment. Referring to the poor condition of the doctors' hostel at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Hospital in Thane, he said officials have been directed to put better facilities in place within three months. The government is also committed to looking after the health and well-being of doctors, he added.

Recalling his experiences as health minister, Shinde said he had visited flood-hit Kolhapur, areas affected by infectious diseases, Gadchiroli and Melghat to take stock of health arrangements. He said decisions on health facilities should not get stuck in government procedures and that action should be immediate on the principle of "No Reason, On-the-Spot Decision". Shinde also said that during his two and a half years as chief minister, Rs 560 crore was distributed to needy patients from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. He praised former health minister Dr Deepak Sawant for his work on malnutrition in Melghat.

Among the state government's health initiatives, Shinde mentioned the screening of three crore women. He said eight mammography vans were launched on his birthday so that screening facilities reach villages. Modern ambulances are also being provided to strengthen emergency medical services. According to Shinde, the treatment limit under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana has been raised from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 22 lakh, and 12.50 crore citizens get its insurance cover. He said the scheme covers many treatments, including kidney ailments requiring dialysis, heart diseases, organ transplants and cancer.

Recalling doctors' contribution during the Covid-19 pandemic, Shinde said doctors risked their lives to serve patients. He asked the new doctors to treat every patient equally and speak to them with empathy. He said affectionate conversation can ease half of a patient's illness. As an example of the hard work medical studies demand, he cited his son, MP Dr Shrikant Shinde, who has done MBBS and MS.

Shinde suggested that doctors who give outstanding service should receive an award every year and that their work should also be recorded in their annual confidential reports. He appealed to the new medical officers to work with dedication and a spirit of service and to make Maharashtra's public health department the best in the country.

Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of State for Health Meghna Bordikar, Legislative Council Deputy Chairperson Sachin Ahir, former health minister Dr Deepak Sawant, Health Secretary Dr Nipun Vinayak, MP Sanjay Jadhav, MLA Prof Manisha Kayande and Health Commissioner Sanjay Katkar were present at the event.