The Dhanbad district administration has appointed 50 doctors within a record 27 days as part of its effort to strengthen the infrastructure of government health institutions in preparation to fight an anticipated third wave of Covid.

The move has represented itself as an example of rare efficiency even as the de-recognition threat looms large over the government medical colleges of the state from the Medical Council of India due to pending appointment of doctors.

The newly appointed doctors will be deputed at Sadar Hospital Dhanbad as well as other Community Health Centre and Primary Health Centres.

Uma Shankar Singh, Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner, said that the appointment of doctors has been made through the District Mineral Foundation Trust fund with the aim of decreasing the dependence of common people on private health care facilities.

“The entire process was carried out quite transparently as after issuance of tender on June 2 and application from doctors were received till June 18,” said Singh and added two different panels led by him and ADM (law and order) Chandan Kumar conducted the online and offline interview from June 21 to June 24 and after completing all formalities, the name of selected doctors were uploaded on district website www.dhanbad.nic.in.

He further said that altogether 206 doctors were interviewed out of which 50 best applicants were selected by the panellists.

The selected persons, included one each doctor in the super speciality category of Cardiologist, Nephrologist and Neurologist, besides 20 medical officers (MBBS); five dentists; four each specialist in Paediatrics and Gynaecology; four hospital manager; 3 specialists in Anaesthesia.

This apart two specialists in Orthopaedics and one each Ophthalmologist Swasthya Hospital IT Manager, ENT specialist, psychological counsellor and specialist in Surgery were selected through the interview.

Justifying the appointment of doctor through DMFT fund he said that the filling up of vacancies in health sectors in a mineral rich area like Dhanbad is in accordance with the aims of District Mineral Foundation Trust .

During the experience of more than one years of Covid pandemic it has been realized that the filling up of the vacancies of doctors and para medical staff to strengthen the health infrastructure of government public health care institutions was quite crucial so we concentrated in this regard.

“Improving the health condition of the people affected due to the mining or mining related activity in the one of most priority areas of District Mineral Foundation Trust” further said Singh while justifying the appointments of doctors and other staff being made through DMFT fund.