Of the total sanctioned posts of specialist doctors in Uttar Pradesh government hospitals, 60 per cent are lying vacant, Health Minister Siddharth Nath Singh said in the state Assembly today.

He was answering a question raised by SP's Nitin Agarwal and Independent MLA Amanmani Tripathi."In Uttar Pradesh, 7,300 specialist doctors are needed against which there are 2,970 doctors posted at present," he said.Agarwal said only 40 per cent specialist doctors available in Uttar Pradesh and termed it a matter of concern.Replying to another member, the minister said the state government was recruiting doctors and was making serious effots to meet the shortage.

"We have raised the retirement age of doctors from 60 to 62 years. Online recuitment has been started and doctors are applying and walk-in interview are also being held to meet the shortage. Besides, 2,800 doctors will be posted in PHCs," he said."1,816 doctors have been recruited through the UPPSC and they will be posted soon. In over eight months, we have engaged 5,500 doctors and the process is underway," Singh added.