NHM contract staff with 10 years' service get chance at regular posts; new contract hiring questioned

A path to regularisation has opened for employees who have worked on contract for years in the National Health Mission (NHM). Long-serving staff are relieved and happy. But the decision has also led to questions about how new appointments are made in the health department.

Under the state government's decision of November 4, eligible NHM employees who have completed 10 years of service or more have been approved for adjustment against vacant regular posts. It has been introduced as a one-time special arrangement. A final list of eligible employees has also been issued in 2026.

While older employees have got this opportunity, a recruitment process on contract basis is also under way for various posts. The talk is now about this next round of hiring.

According to official NHM information, advertisements have been issued in 2026 for recruitment on contract basis to several posts, including Community Health Officer, Project Director and the State Health System Resource Centre. This raises the question of what service arrangement there will be for the new generation of employees, if older employees are being given a chance at regularisation after long service.

There is also the question of whether an employee appointed in NHM today will, after completing 10 years of service, wait for a similar special decision. Or will the health department frame a clear, transparent and long-term service policy for future manpower from the start. The issue is not seen as limited to the job security of employees.

Doctors, health workers, technical experts and support staff play an important role in the health system of Nagpur city. In such a situation, a clear policy on the nature of appointment, pay, responsibility and future service security is considered necessary.

Contract appointments to various NHM posts have been made for a long time. With such recruitment continuing for various posts in 2026 as well, discussion has begun on the widening scope of contractualisation in the health department. However, according to the available official information, the selection process is not the same for all posts. The recruitment process may differ depending on the nature of the post.

Overall, employees are demanding that a clear policy be framed on service security and their future.