Thousands of newly appointed doctors have joined a lobbying war to get a chance to be posted at locations that are either in or near Dhaka city.
The lobbying competition to secure a spot in or around the capital has become intensified as there are only 500 vacant spots available in Dhaka division, compared to around 2,000 new doctors who reportedly have their native homes in the division.
Both the prime minister and the health minister had earlier promised that the new doctors would get postings at their respective home districts.
Over 6,000 doctors have recently been appointed through the 33rd BCS. Doctors from outside the Dhaka region were also reportedly trying to get postings at different districts in Dhaka division.
Several senior health officials told the Dhaka Tribune that they were facing an embarrassing situation while preparing the list of posting for the doctors.
Influential people like cabinet members, lawmakers, and leaders from political parties and doctors’ organisations were trying to influence the posting process of the new doctors, they said, adding that most of the recommendations were made for postings at locations in or around Dhaka city.
Meanwhile, Habibur Rahman, a joint secretary (personnel) of the Health Ministry, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday that they have completed scrutinising over 2,500 doctors until Sunday. Additional manpower have been engaged to ensure the posting of the doctors within the scheduled time.
“It is not an easy job to give postings to thousands of doctors at a time. We are working round the clock to keep the health minister’s promise. We will be able to complete all the procedures and issue posting orders by Thursday,” Habibur said.
Asked how the extra doctors would be accommodated in the limited number of seats in Dhaka, he said the ministry was now considering to provide the postings based on the merit list. The rest of the doctors would have to join workplaces at other districts and remain there for two years, he added.
Top health officials, on the other hand, have said most doctors would get postings at or near their native upazila.
On August 7, Health Minister Mohammed Nasim announced that doctors would be posted at their own home districts within a week.
According to the Health Ministry and health directorate, a total of 8,619 doctors have been appointed over the last five years. Moreover, 4,133 assistant and dental surgeons had also been appointed on ad hoc basis.