High Court Questions Himachal Pradesh’s Medical Officer Appointments

The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has raised concerns regarding the state’s practice of designating certain doctors as “trainee” medical officers, which subjects them to a lower pay scale than their regular counterparts. The court underscored the importance of ensuring job security for medical professionals if the state aims to provide effective healthcare services to its residents.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj criticized the term “trainee,” stating it does not appropriately reflect the responsibilities of these medical officers. The court has mandated the state’s health secretary to submit a comprehensive affidavit detailing the pay scale and service conditions for these “trainee” medical officers.

The court also issued a notice to the state government, seeking clarification on the rationale behind the “trainee” designation and whether these officers receive a regular pay scale or are integrated into the state’s cadre of medical staff. Additionally, the health secretary is required to present information regarding the number of sanctioned medical officer positions that remain unfilled across the state during the next hearing.

During the proceedings, a status report provided by the joint secretary of health revealed that 80 medical officers had been appointed to fill vacancies at primary health centres (PHCs) throughout Himachal Pradesh, with 67 of these officers having taken up their posts. Despite this effort, it was noted that 45 positions for medical officers in various districts remain unoccupied.

The state government informed the court that these vacancies would be addressed as new medical officers become available within the department. In compliance with previous court directives, it was reported that the central government has allocated ₹523 crore to Himachal Pradesh under the National Health Mission (NHM) for the financial year 2024-25, with total expenditures amounting to ₹654 crore.

Counsel representing the central government confirmed that financial audits will be carried out by statutory auditors to ensure proper oversight, including physical verification of fixed assets developed under the NHM initiative in the state.

The High Court’s scrutiny of these appointments comes in response to a public interest litigation that has been ongoing since 2020. The petition urges the state government to guarantee adequate staffing in all primary health centres, adhering to the guidelines outlined in the Indian Public Health Standards.

As the court continues to address this matter, the focus remains on the urgent need for qualified medical professionals to ensure that healthcare services in Himachal Pradesh meet the demands of its population effectively.