The Health department has sanctioned 152 posts across various districts to strengthen the functioning of family health centres (FHCs) in the State. The newly sanctioned posts include that of Pharmacist Grade II (60), Nursing Officer (47), Laboratory Technician Grade II (33) and Medical Officer (12).

The Director of Health Services (DHS) and district health authorities will soon report these vacancies to the Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) and appointments will be made from the existing rank lists. The posts have been sanctioned based on the recommendation of the DHS, a statement issued by the office of the Health Minister said. Although the previous government had also created posts, no effort had been made to identify FHCs facing staff shortage and allocate posts.

Soon after the present government assumed office, the issue had been brought to the notice of the Health Minister by many job aspirants, following which, the Minister assured them that the posts would be sanctioned at the earliest and appointments facilitated. The Minister expedited the decision as the severe shortage of Medical Officers, Nursing Officers, Laboratory Technicians and Pharmacists, had been affecting the functioning of FHCs, the statement said.

The 12 Medical Officer posts have been allotted to family health centres in nine districts where the requirement was considered most urgent. Of these, four posts have been sanctioned for Kasaragod and one MO each has been allotted to FHCs in Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Wayanad and Kannur. The government will continue to take steps to strengthen public health institutions which serve as the first point of care for the common people. The Minister said that steps are being taken to report vacancies in the Health department to the PSC without delay, so that more job aspirants stand a chance at employment.