Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: The Karnataka government is considering increasing the retirement age of doctors serving in super-specialty hospitals under the medical education department from the current 60 years.
During a meeting with doctors at the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Bengaluru on Thursday, Karnataka Medical Education and Skill Development Minister Sharan Prakash Patil assured medical professionals that the government is actively working on extending the retirement age to retain experienced doctors in super-specialty hospitals.
This move comes in response to concerns raised by senior doctors, who pointed out that after spending nearly 35 years in medical education and training, they only get to serve for about 20-25 years before retiring at 60.
“We have been deliberating on this issue for some time. To ensure better healthcare services and make the most of our experienced doctors, I will soon discuss the matter with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and propose raising the retirement age for doctors in super-specialty hospitals,” Patil stated.
In addition to the retirement age extension, Patil announced that doctors in the medical education department would soon receive insurance coverage. Currently, these doctors are not covered under any government insurance scheme. The state plans to introduce the Jeevana Sanjivini scheme, already available to healthcare workers under the health and family welfare department.
To enhance medical infrastructure, Patil also revealed plans to allocate additional funds to Jayadeva Hospital for the introduction of robotic surgery facilities.
“To stay ahead in medical innovation and technology, we are committed to equipping Jayadeva with the latest machines and infrastructure. If Jayadeva cannot have the best, no other hospital in India can,” he affirmed.