The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) has opened vacancies for over 300 doctors for deployment in the quake-hit districts in the upcoming monsoon following the deadly earthquake but very few have shown interest to work in affected districts.
"We need over 300 doctors but only 19 have so far applied to serve in the affected districts," Shanta Bahadur Shrestha, secretary at the MoHP, said, adding, "We have heard that many doctors are unemployed in the country but they do not appear ready to work in remote areas."The government has been planning to deploy the medical doctors in all VDCs of the 14 earthquake hit districts before the start of monsoon. The devastating earthquake has damaged over 700 health facilities including five district hospitals leaving thousands of people without even basic healthcare services. Health experts have meanwhile warned that epidemics could break out in the earthquake-hit districts during monsoon.
According to Secretary Shrestha, after receiving poor response to the vacancy announcement, the ministry is planning to deploy those doctors who earned their medicine degrees under government-funded scholarship programs.
"We have established contact with 60 doctors who studied under government-funded scholarship programs and are currently working in various districts," informed Shrestha. As per the rule, scholarship doctors have to compulsorily work in the health centers assigned by the MoHP for two years. The MoHP provides such doctors basic salary and allowances.
"Even foreign doctors have been showing interest to work in the affected districts. It is unfortunate that our own doctors appear reluctant to serve the country in this difficult situation when they are needed the most," complained Secretary Shrestha, adding that this is best opportunity to service the country.
One has to spend around Rs five million to earn an MBBS degree and almost Rs 10 million to complete MD/MS program. Every year, the government provides over 300 scholarships for MBBS alone.
Nepal Medical Association (NMA), an umbrella organization of medical doctors, said that doctors seem reluctant to serve in the affected district, as the government has offered the jobs in the earthquake-hit districts for just six months. "Why would one go to remote VDCs for just six months quitting their jobs in private nursing homes and clinics," Dr Anjani Kumar Jha, NMA chairman, said.
He said that NMA has asked the government to open permanent vacancy but concerned officials at the ministry have not paid any heed to its suggestions. Chairman Jha believes that doctors are reluctant to serve in remote VDCs due to lack of perks and benefits. He however said NMA is ready to assist the ministry if its help is sought formally.
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