Stating that 900 posts of MBBS doctors are vacant in government health sector in the State, Minister for Health and Family Welfare U. T. Khader said here on Sunday that the State government will appoint MBBS graduates to those posts on contract basis. The contract will be valid till regular appointments are made, he said.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Kudroli Gokarnanatha temple, Mr. Khader said, “MBBS graduates can file application before the District Health Officer (DHO) concerned. The concerned DHO should issue appointment order within one week after holding walk-in interview. If he/she does not issue the orders, then disciplinary action will be taken against such DHOs.”

Each MBBS doctor will be paid ₹60,000 per month. No AYUSH graduates are working as against the vacant posts reserved for MBBS graduates, Mr. Khader said.

He said the policy initiated by his predecessor Dinesh Gundu Rao of allowing private medical colleges to offer health services at the government healthcare centres will continue. Mr. Khader said private institutions are being roped in to provide high-end treatment facilities at the public health centres and community health centres.

“The health centres will continue to be under the control of the government. Free treatment at government health centres will continue,” he said. It is imperative for government to have tie-up with private entities to make education and health services affordable to the needy, he added.

On State government not extending the free health cover to senior citizens under Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharath Arogya Karnataka Health Scheme, Mr. Khader said he will look into the technical issues preventing extension of coverage. “If it is useful to people, a decision will certainly be taken to extend free treatment cover under the scheme to senior citizens,” he said.

Stating that he is happy with his health portfolio, Mr. Khader said he will continue to visit government healthcare centres during the night to see the state of affairs at those centres. “I have also asked the District Health Officers as well to make regular visits to healthcare centres.” Mr. Khader said.

Stating that he is ready to work as district In-charge Minister of any district offered by the Chief Minister, Mr. Khader said further expansion of the Cabinet is slated to be held shortly. “I will continue to work for development of Dakshina Kannada and my actions will not bring discredit to my district,” he said.

Soon after his arrival in Mangaluru on Sunday morning, Mr. Khader visited Sayyid Mohammed Shareeful Madani Darga, Cheerumba Bhagawati Kshetra and St. Sebastian Church, all in Ullal. After visiting Kudroli Gokarnanatha temple, Mr. Khader called on Mangaluru Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha and senior Congress leader B. Janardhana Poojary. He attended public felicitation function held at Narayana Guru Sabha Bhavan in Kolya.