Bengaluru: The Karnataka government will soon terminate as many as 804 doctors for unauthorised absence from work. A decision in this regard was taken after the doctors failed to report to work even after being served notices.

During a press conference on Thursday, Minister for Health and Family Welfare K R Ramesh Kumar said these doctors, who were appointed by the health department, have been suspended after they failed to report to duty, citing reasons like transfers.

Further, 1,304 nurses, paramedics, lab technicians and other staff members will also be suspended.

In all, there are 2,733 staffers working in the health department. Asked about the vacancies that would be created following the suspension, the minister said appropriate measures have been initiated to tackle the situation.

Meanwhile, Kumar said that even though the government promised a salary of Rs 1.25 lakh and additional incentives for specialists, nobody expressed interest to serve in rural areas.

Recently, the Karnataka Public Service Commission called for applications for 1,401 posts of doctors, but appointment orders were issued for only 1,222.

Of this, 590 reported for work. For the existing 1,183 vacancies for specialists, 700 responded, 400 took the interview, but only 44 reported for work.

The minister pointed out that there was an unscientific addition of medical seats, and it was not demand based. To address this issue, the government is planning to introduce postgraduate diploma courses organised by the National Board of Examination for doctors who would serve in rural areas.

Kumar said priority would be given to fill up the vacancies of pediatricians, anesthetists and gynecologists across government hospitals. He added that if the course is introduced soon, the shortage of doctors could be addressed in a span of three years.