Its time to change staff pattern: Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 5 (UNI) Kerala Health Minister P K Sreemathy today stressed the need for a change in staff pattern of the Health Department in the state as it was still following the pattern fixed in 1961.

Inaugurating the new centralised oxygen system, set up at a cost of Rs 10 lakh at the District Hospital here, she said as the number of patients increased threefold, the work load in hospitals had increased and the existing staff pattern should be changed.

Ms Sreemathy said steps had been taken to fill 400 vacancies of doctors before August 31.

With nearly 500 more doctors due for retirement, the number of vacancies in government hospitals would rose to 1,200, she added.

The Health Minister said she had issued necessary instructions to the officials concerned for the appointment of nurses and other hospital staffs.

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