13,929 posts vacant in public health system in Telangana, DME and TVVP worst-hit

Telangana faces 13,929 healthcare vacancies, primarily in doctors and nurses, as recruitment efforts aim to address the shortage.

The Telangana government has stated that there are 13,929 vacancies in its public health system ranging from doctors, nurses and paramedical staff. Recruitment is currently underway to fill a significant portion of these posts. The figures were shared in the Telangana Legislative Council on Monday, March 23.

Replying to questions raised by members S. Vani Devi and Thakkellapalli Ravinder Rao, Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha said the expansion of medical colleges in the State has led to a parallel rise in demand for teaching staff, contributing to shortages. He noted that filling posts such as Associate Professors and Professors has been challenging due to the limited pool of candidates meeting eligibility norms prescribed by the National Medical Commission.

According to the data placed before the House, the total sanctioned strength across all categories stands at 51,455, against which 37,526 personnel are currently working, leaving 13,929 vacancies.

In primary health institutions under the Commissioner of Health and Family Welfare, there are 13,547 sanctioned posts, with 10,896 filled and 2,651 vacant. In primary health institutions under the Director of Public Health (DPH), out of 7,769 sanctioned posts, 6,402 are filled and 1,367 remain vacant.

The situation is more acute in secondary healthcare institutions under the Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad (TVVP). Of the 9,554 sanctioned posts, only 5,848 are filled, leaving 3,706 vacancies. In tertiary care institutions under the Director of Medical Education (DME), which include teaching hospitals, there are 20,585 sanctioned posts, of which 14,380 are filled, leaving 6,205 vacancies.

Following this, the government informed the House that recruitment is currently under way to address a substantial portion of these vacancies. Across all categories and institutions, direct recruitment is in progress for 7,170 posts, which are expected to be filled shortly. A large share of these recruitments is concentrated in secondary and tertiary care institutions.