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Ranchi, July 22, 2025
In a significant move to address the acute shortage of specialist doctors in its government healthcare facilities, the Jharkhand government handed over appointment letters to 126 specialist doctors during a ceremony in Ranchi on Tuesday. The appointments, carried out under the National Health Mission (NHM), are unique in that they were made through a bidding process where doctors were selected based on the lowest salary quotations they offered.
Key Highlights
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Bidding-Based Selection: For the first time, specialist doctors in Jharkhand were appointed through an open tender process. Doctors submitted bids quoting the honorarium they were willing to accept, and those offering lower quotations were prioritized for selection.
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Wide Range of Specializations: Among the newly appointed doctors are:
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22 paediatricians
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20 surgeons
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19 gynaecologists
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17 anaesthetists
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11 general physicians
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10 orthopaedic specialists
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9 ophthalmologists
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5 ENT specialists
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5 psychiatrists
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4 dermatologists
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4 radiologists
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Addressing Rural Needs: Many of the appointments will serve in hard-to-reach and under-served regions, aiming to improve healthcare access in districts where vacancies and doctor shortages have persisted for years.
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Minister’s Remarks: Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari personally distributed the appointment letters and emphasized the state’s commitment to innovative solutions for the chronic shortage of medical staff.
The Appointment Process
The selection process allowed the doctors to bid for vacant posts at various government health centers by quoting their expected salary. Those quoting the lowest honorarium secured the appointments. Out of 219 posts that were put up for bidding, 126 were filled through this method. Further tender rounds will follow to fill the remaining vacancies, including additional specialist and medical officer positions.
Background
Jharkhand has long struggled with a critical shortage of specialist doctors, with over 85% of posts reported vacant in recent reviews. The state currently has an estimated 185 specialists working in government hospitals, while official requirements call for more than 1,000. This shortage has significantly affected healthcare delivery, especially in rural and remote areas.
Disclaimer
This article is based on information available from online news sources and official statements as of July 23, 2025. Details about selection procedures and postings are subject to verification and further updates by the Jharkhand government and the National Health Mission. Readers are advised to consult official notifications for the most accurate and current information.
