Fri May 09 19:43:33 UTC 2025: **Karnataka Health Department Recalls Hundreds of Deputed Doctors and Staff**
Bengaluru, May 10, 2025 – The Karnataka Health Department has ordered the immediate return of over 565 doctors and a large number of other medical staff currently on deputation to other departments for more than five years. This move, announced Wednesday, aims to address a critical staffing shortage within the Health Department.
According to Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Harsh Gupta, many of these staff members, including specialists, have been working in the same locations, primarily urban areas, for over a decade. The department is aiming for a more equitable distribution of resources and personnel, noting that many senior doctors are currently in positions that could be filled by recent MBBS graduates. Mr. Gupta also highlighted that the department needs to fill critical vacancies, particularly for specialists.
The order affects staff working in various departments, including district hospitals and medical colleges run by the Medical Education Department. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action. The decision follows high-level discussions within the department to address the ongoing staffing crisis and optimize the use of available resources.
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