Centre to increase retirement-age of govt. doctors to 65 years
To address the shortage of doctors in India and boost public healthcare services, the Centre has decided to extend the retirement age of central government doctors to 65 years from 60. The announcement was made by Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad after a Union Cabinet meeting. He said all government doctors, except Central Health Service doctors, can work till they are 65. Know more!
Union Health Minister JP Nadda hails the decision
Poor people entirely dependent on public health facilities
The Union Cabinet decision would enable the central government to retain the experienced doctors for a longer time, especially in the rural areas, where government doctors are the only recourse for the poor. Earlier in July, the Centre had raised the retirement age of general duty medical officers of the central armed police forces and the Assam Rifles to 65 years.
Proposal for increasing the retirement age approved
In Jul'16, the Union Cabinet gave its approval for raising the retirement age of central government doctors, including non-teaching and public health specialists of Central Government Health Services (CGHS), to 65 years. At the time, Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said the decision was taken keeping in mind the shortage of doctors. The Health Ministry said PM Narendra Modi approved the proposal in May'16.
No financial implications of increase in retirement age: Centre
Following the Cabinet's approval, an official statement said: "The decision will help in better patient care, proper academic activities in government medical colleges and effective implementation of the National Health Programmes for delivery of healthcare services." Government claimed the decision will have no financial implications.
