Dehradun: Faced with the problem of shortage of doctors, the Uttarakhand government has raised the retirement age of doctors in the state from 60 to 62 years.
A notification to this effect was issued by the state government here last evening, officials said on Wednesday.
According to a government estimate, there is a shortage of nearly 400 doctors, including specialists, in the state hospitals.
Incidentally, the decision is set to benefit Dr Asha Mathur, state Director General of Health, who was to retire today.
The officials, however, refused to make any commitment on the induction of specialist doctors in government hospitals.
"Basically, we need doctors at lower rung more than the specialists. But the decision to raise the retirement age will surely be of great help to check the problem," they said.
Meanwhile, the finance department has raised objections against the decision saying it will create an extra pressure on the state exchequer, which is already reeling under the burden of sixth pay commission and other social commitments of the government.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, August 31, 2011, 16:05