Kochi, Tuesday, August 03, 2010: The Kerala High Court today approved the specialty cadre rules, established by the State government for the hospitals under the Health Department. High Court observed that government’s decision as virtuous and told that the Court would not interfere in the decision.

The High Court had announced the verdict while hearing on pleas filed by a group of doctors against the specialty cadre. The doctors had filed the plea pointing out anomalies in the seniority list for the transfers.

Earlier report: -

The government had issued orders creating specialist cadre post in 118 public health institutions including general hospitals, women and children’s hospitals, specialty hospitals such as mental hospitals and leprosy hospitals and District and Taluk hospitals. Up to 16 specialty services would now be available in those hospitals, through this cadre.

The Minister recalled that the efforts for introducing the specialty cadre in the health services had started 15 years ago, but had been bogged down in various problems.

The present government had been able to revise the norms for selection to the cadre and issue special rules for appointment. Issues were sorted out through discussions with service organisations.

Minister Sreemathy said that the government had been able to fill all the vacancies in the entry cadre of doctors. Vacancies arising in specialist posts (junior consultant) would be filled through the Public Service Commission within six months. More facilities were being introduced in the hospitals with posting of specialists.