Maharashtra is facing a serious healthcare crisis as over 500 specialist doctors have refused to take government jobs, forcing the state to cancel their appointments. This shortage is hitting gynecology, pediatrics, anesthesia, and other key departments, leaving public hospitals, especially in rural and tribal areas, struggling to provide care.
Why Are Doctors Refusing Government Jobs?
Doctors selected in the January 2024 recruitment drive were expected to join by June 2024. However, many never reported for duty. Here’s why:
1️. Low Salaries – Government doctors earn an average of ₹95,935 per month, while private-sector specialists earn ₹1.53 lakh per month, making private practice a more attractive option.
2️. Heavy Workload—Due to existing staff shortages, doctors in government hospitals are overworked, leading to burnout.
3️. Poor Infrastructure – Many hospitals lack basic medical equipment, support staff, and proper working conditions, making it hard for specialists to do their job.
4️. Slow Hiring Process – The government took months to issue appointment letters, by which time many doctors had already taken jobs elsewhere.
How Is This Shortage Affecting Public Hospitals?
The lack of specialists is forcing patients to travel long distances to seek treatment in bigger cities. A 2021 survey by Jan Arogya Abhiyan found:
- 22 out of 38 rural hospitals stopped conducting Caesarean sections due to a lack of specialists.
- Routine surgeries were unavailable in 17 districts due to doctor shortages.
- State-run medical colleges had a 46.68% vacancy rate for senior doctors in 2022, increasing patient wait times and workload for existing staff.
Without enough specialists, many rural hospitals are acting as referral centers, sending patients elsewhere instead of providing treatment.
Government’s Next Steps: Can They Fix the Crisis?
On February 5, 2025, the Maharashtra Health Department canceled over 460 doctor appointments due to non-joining. The government is now looking to fill these vacancies from the waiting list, but experts warn that this is a temporary solution.
What Needs to Change?
🔹 Better Pay & Incentives – Government doctors need competitive salaries to prevent them from moving to private hospitals or leaving the state.
🔹 Faster Recruitment – The hiring process should be streamlined so that appointment letters are issued on time.
🔹 Improved Infrastructure – Hospitals need modern medical equipment, better support staff, and safe working conditions for doctors.
🔹 Retention Strategies – Offering scholarships, career growth opportunities, and financial bonuses could help retain specialists in public healthcare.
Support Better Healthcare for All!
The healthcare system in Maharashtra is at risk, and urgent reforms are needed to attract and retain doctors in government hospitals. If you are a medical professional, policymaker, or healthcare advocate, now is the time to speak up.
Join the conversation! What do you think Maharashtra should do to fix this crisis? Share your views and let’s push for better salaries, improved infrastructure, and stronger healthcare policies to protect millions of patients across the state.
To register for our next masterclass please click here https://linktr.ee/docpreneur
