To address shortage, Saxena approves recruitment of 1,463 healthcare staff

Lieutenant-Governor (L-G) VK Saxena approved the recruitment of 1,463 healthcare personnel to address staff shortage and improve Delhi’s public healthcare infrastructure, Raj Niwas officials said on Monday.

Among the 1,463 staff members to be recruited are 701 nurses and 762 paramedical staff. These positions will be outsourced through Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), such as Intelligent Communication Systems India Limited (ICSIL), National Informatics Centre Services Incorporated (NICSI), Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL) and HLL Lifecare Limited, by individual hospitals. These appointments will be made against the direct recruitment quota with relaxation in Recruitment Rules (RRs) for specified recruitment modes, officials said.

The decision follows the recommendations of the Dr SK Sarin Committee, which was established after the Delhi High Court’s observations. In February, the court highlighted the inadequacy of the health infrastructure and hospital beds and directed the Delhi Government to file a status report outlining its plans to ensure the medical infrastructure keeps pace with the city’s growing population. The court also raised concerns about the shortage of manpower, officials added.

The court emphasised that the provision of quality medical services is vital for the health and wellbeing of the city’s residents, and ensuring a robust public health system is an obligation of the state under Article 47, read with Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

The court order stated, “This court is of the view that huge investments, along with structural reforms in the functioning of government hospitals — without entering into a blame game — are the need of the hour to overcome years of neglect and apathy. This can only be achieved if there is a consensus on measures to be adopted, both in the short and long term.”

The court then set up the Dr Sarin Committee, tasked with optimising healthcare resources in Delhi’s hospitals and identifying shortages of nursing and paramedical staff.

“The committee recommended engaging outsourced agencies for the immediate deployment of these essential personnel. This recruitment drive aligns with the HC’s directives to enhance Delhi’s healthcare infrastructure and ensure the availability of quality medical services,” an official said.

Adequate staffing levels will also improve the overall efficiency of hospitals, leading to smoother operations and better patient outcomes, the official added.