Thiruvananthapuram: Government hospitals across Kerala continue to face a severe shortage of doctors, with 799 posts currently lying vacant across the state. Most of the vacancies are for assistant surgeons, with 431 posts unfilled.

The Kerala Public Service Commission (PSC) has sent advice memos to 430 candidates, but appointment orders have been issued to only 134 so far. Some of those who received appointment orders have also not joined duty.

The shortage is particularly severe in Kasaragod, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts. Kasaragod alone has 113 vacancies for assistant surgeons and three at the civil surgeon level. Palakkad has 87 assistant surgeon vacancies, while Kannur has 70. Idukki has 41 vacancies.

At Idukki District Hospital, 10 of the 34 sanctioned doctor posts are vacant. The hospital receives between 1,000 and 1,200 outpatients every day.

Pathanamthitta has 25 vacancies at the assistant surgeon level. Kollam has 14 vacancies at the consultant level alone. Wayanad has 16 consultant and 13 junior consultant vacancies. In Thrissur, seven civil surgeon posts are vacant.

The failure of PSC-recommended candidates to join duty and delays in implementing promotions on time are among the reasons for the continuing vacancies.

The Health Department has formed a special HR cell to address the issue. The five-member committee is headed by Dr V. Anil, Deputy Director of Medical and Hospital Administration. The cell aims to prepare a seniority list of doctors and complete the pending promotions. The department plans to complete the process before December this year.