According to the health ministry, as many as 90 of its consultants will have to leave by the end of June.
The Union Health Ministry is digging into its pockets to retain a slew of experts fearing an exodus after the Centre recently dismissed dozens of foreign-funded consultants, seen as a bid to clamp down on the influence of international agencies and NGOs on public policy.
"With the order, the health ministry remains the worst hit as the public health sector has perhaps the highest number of such experts in various fields, ranging from tuberculosis, family planning to AIDS," said a senior health ministry official.
While many consultants have already been asked to leave after completing three years, others will soon get their marching orders.
"The concern is serious as work will get affected if these experienced people leave. We are considering the possibility of creating a separate fund for this so that we can pay the salaries of these experts in the future," the official said.
"We have been asked to make a list of those who are about to complete three years. We will talk to authorities to find a way to retain these experts at our own expense."
More than 363 consultants work in the health ministry, but get salaries from external agencies such as the UK's Department for International Development (DFID), US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) along with aid groups like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Health-oriented international agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF also have consultants in the ministry.
"With several health plans such as AIDS control programmes under the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), malaria, immunisation, family planning and mother and child health programmes, there is a dire need of health experts for guidance," said a senior health official.
"Not many posts have been sanctioned by the Centre so we are dependent on foreign agencies to fund these experts." Over half of these consultants have already served the government for more than three years, said officials.
"For those who have joined recently, we can extend their services annually, up to three years, after seeking permission from the finance ministry by giving them a valid reason. But these experts will start looking for other avenues if they don't see any financial gains in future. The final approval for the existing consultants will come after the approval of the new screening committee," an official said.
According to the health ministry, as many as 90 of its consultants will have to leave by the end of June. Around 120 work with NACO. "We have already started searching for new experts in the respective fields and their salaries will be taken care of by the health ministry," said the official. "We will manage some funds and recruit experienced people at our own level."
Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/health-gasps-as-union-health-ministry-struggles-to-keep-foreign-funded-consultants/1/647689.html
The Union Health Ministry is digging into its pockets to retain a slew of experts fearing an exodus after the Centre recently dismissed dozens of foreign-funded consultants, seen as a bid to clamp down on the influence of international agencies and NGOs on public policy.
"With the order, the health ministry remains the worst hit as the public health sector has perhaps the highest number of such experts in various fields, ranging from tuberculosis, family planning to AIDS," said a senior health ministry official.
While many consultants have already been asked to leave after completing three years, others will soon get their marching orders.
"The concern is serious as work will get affected if these experienced people leave. We are considering the possibility of creating a separate fund for this so that we can pay the salaries of these experts in the future," the official said.
"We have been asked to make a list of those who are about to complete three years. We will talk to authorities to find a way to retain these experts at our own expense."
More than 363 consultants work in the health ministry, but get salaries from external agencies such as the UK's Department for International Development (DFID), US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) along with aid groups like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Health-oriented international agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF also have consultants in the ministry.
"With several health plans such as AIDS control programmes under the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP), malaria, immunisation, family planning and mother and child health programmes, there is a dire need of health experts for guidance," said a senior health official.
"Not many posts have been sanctioned by the Centre so we are dependent on foreign agencies to fund these experts." Over half of these consultants have already served the government for more than three years, said officials.
"For those who have joined recently, we can extend their services annually, up to three years, after seeking permission from the finance ministry by giving them a valid reason. But these experts will start looking for other avenues if they don't see any financial gains in future. The final approval for the existing consultants will come after the approval of the new screening committee," an official said.
According to the health ministry, as many as 90 of its consultants will have to leave by the end of June. Around 120 work with NACO. "We have already started searching for new experts in the respective fields and their salaries will be taken care of by the health ministry," said the official. "We will manage some funds and recruit experienced people at our own level."
Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/health-gasps-as-union-health-ministry-struggles-to-keep-foreign-funded-consultants/1/647689.html
