MP: Government looks to DNB courses to address shortage of doctors

Nonpromotion of medical officers leading to a shortage of specialists in various faculties at district hospitals and Government Medical College associated hospitals in the past years has led the government to consider getting specialist seats Of Diplomat National Board (DNB) from NBE.

Recruitment of specialists in district hospitals and medical college hospitals has not been easy. Of the 3000 available post of specialists, 1500 lie vacant. Medical college associated hospitals and colleges have more than 200 posts of specialists vacant. Hence, the Government is seeking DNB courses under the MCI norms, with a DNB proposal under discussion.

12 district hospitals have been identified with an acute shortage of specialists. Information on specialist vacancies has also been sought from all six Government Medical Colleges. The Government will try to fill up specialist and assistant professors' posts from PG candidates and if there exists a shortfall, then some seats from DNB will be sought. Correspondence related to the issue is on, since the past two months between the Health Department and the DNB Delhi officers.

In the absence of DNB seats in Madhya Pradesh, the State Government is trying to get some seats, so that medical officers may get a DNB enrolled and fulfill the vacancies of specialists.

The Medical Education Department is facing a problem finding assistant professors for the 7 new medical colleges it is planning to start in different parts of the State. Dr D K Goswamy, State President, Madhya Pradesh Medical Officers Association, had proposed to the government that some medical officers might be given DNB by procuring some seats from it. DNB is equal to MD, MS.

When contacted, Gauri Singh, Principal Secretary, Health, admitted to the existing shortage of shortage of specialists in district hospitals and GMCs. "We have identified 10 - 12 district hospitals and medical colleges where medical officers are to be granted DNB within the MCI norms. We will fill up posts of specialists soon," she said to the Hitavada.