Lucknow

Governmentdoctors in Uttar Pradesh will now be able to continue providing services through reappointment until the age of 70, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has said.

Pathak -- who also holds the health portfolio -- said the move is aimed at further strengthening government healthcare services in the state.

Under the existing system, government doctors can serve until the age of 65. Following Pathak’s direction, the health department has now initiated the process of issuing an order to facilitate their reappointment up to the age of 70, according to an official statement.

Government hospitals, community health centres (CHCs) and primary health centres (PHCs) in the state receive a large number of patients daily. Extending the services of experienced doctors would provide patients with better medical consultation and treatment, while also easing the pressure on hospitals and health centres, the deputy chief minister said on Tuesday.

“The Provincial Medical and Health Services cadre is the principal medical cadre of the Health Department and includes medical officers and specialist doctors who play a crucial role in providing healthcare services at government hospitals, CHCs and PHCs,” Pathak said.

He said allowing eligible and experienced doctors to serve until the age of 70 would enable patients to directly benefit from their expertise.

The arrangement would be particularly useful in departments facing a shortage of specialist doctors, and would also help strengthen healthcare services in rural areas, he said.

Pathak said the additional chief secretary, health department, has been directed to expedite the process of issuing orders regarding reappointment of doctors after retirement, up to the age of 70