The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the hike in the retirement age of doctors from 62 years to 65 years. The move would help in improving patient care, academic activities and effective implementation of National Health Programme, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told the media after the Cabinet meeting.
There are about 4,000 doctors under Central Health Service, according to the Health Ministry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier said that the Central Government had decided to increase the superannuation age of all doctors in Central Health Service to 65 years with effect from May 31, 2016.
Citing shortage of doctors, Modi had at a rally in Saharanpur on May 26 announced to raise the retirement age of doctors. He had said there is a need for more doctors across the country but it was not possible to fill the gap in two years of his Government.