AGARTALA, Nov 29 (TIWN): When Health Minister Biplab Deb remained silent to the letter that was written by All Tripura Unemployed Doctors Association a month back, the health secretary gave a peculiar reply where he asked the unemployed doctors to open private chambers, join nursing homes instead of waiting for govt job.

After waiting for reply from Chief Minister's office against the letter, the unemployed doctors met the Health Secretary JK Singha. After the meeting the Association in a press-meet on Sunday said, "The Health Secretary heard everything but could not give any satisfactory reply. Instead, he advised us to open private chambers or consider serving in nursing homes. This comment from the Health Secretary is surprising for us. We, new doctors of the state, have been frustrated by this comment"

The latest report published by the State Legislative Assembly in the year 2019, mentioned that Tripura had 844 doctor vacancies against sanctioned positions, 827 para-medical, technician vacancies and 956 vacancies of multi-purpose workers. According to the report, Tripura had 1,178 doctors and 2,269 nurses in service at the time, including 1,050 allopathic doctors, 27 homeo doctors, 85 Ayurvedic doctors and 53 dental physicians.

In a situation of global pandemic where the state is reeling without sufficient doctors and medical staffs, such negligible behaviour of Tripura Govt left people in shock. However, the Tripura Public Service Commission (TPSC) is yet to give any satisfactory answer of when the recruitment process of unemployed doctors will be conducted. 

Tripura is now in top position of Unemployment in whole Northeast.