Contractual workers, experts to gain from new health cadre

The creation of as many as 20,016 posts in the health department on Tuesday, following the state Cabinet's nod, would benefit those from public health management background as well as around 21,000 personnel already working on contract in the Bihar health system under various programmes, including the National Health Mission (NHM), said officials on Thursday.

- Ruchir Kumar

PATNA:

Around 4,000 of the 21,000 workforce on contract in Bihar government's health sector were in the programme management unit, while doctors, nurses, including general nursing midwifery and auxiliary nursing midwifery, and para-medical staff comprised over 16,000, of whom many were presently engaged in public health programmes, said officials.

"Those working with us on a contractual basis will get weightage if they apply for recruitment on regular posts under the directorates of public health and health services. The government allows a maximum of 25% weightage. However, the weightage to be allowed to such employees and other nitty gritty will be worked out when the recruitment rules are framed in the next six months. Hiring will begin only when the rules are approved by the state Cabinet," said Pratyaya Amrit, Bihar's development commissioner and additional chief secretary, health.