Table 3 Recommendations of HLMA in Chhattisgarh and the status of their implementation

Specialist doctors

Organize drives to complete the backlog of promotions of PG doctors who have already served 5 years or more

The recommendation was implemented, resulting in addition of around 230 specialists

Change rules for recruitment of Specialists—to allow direct recruitment of post-graduate doctors into Specialist cadre

The policy change came into effect in June 2021. Its success in attracting specialists is yet to be studied

Provide a one-time relaxation for promoting existing post-graduate doctors with less than 5 years service

Not implemented

Increase salaries including through use of flexibility available for hiring on annual contracts

Districts used their flexible resources to attract PG doctors, resulting in recruitment of around 100 more specialists

Increase the amount of incentive for working in remote areas

A modest increase was proposed by the state government but it could not secure the approval of central government who funds this incentive

Transfer policy to help tribal areas: introduce a policy for each doctor to work for a mandatory fixed term (5–7 years) in rural and remote areas

Not implemented

Multi-skilling of UG doctors by training them in specialist skills through short courses

Initiated

UG Doctors

Organize recruitment drives frequently

Implemented. At least one drive took place annually

Transfer policy to help tribal areas

Not implemented

Transparent allocation of place of posting after recruitment

Implemented

Nurses

Organize recruitment drives

Implemented

Quality assurance in private nursing schools

Implemented partially

CHOs

Increase training capacity and quality

Implemented

Organize recruitment drives

Implemented but faced challenges due to litigations

Regional quotas to ensure that remote/underdeveloped districts also get CHOs

Implemented

Continued capacity building—in-service training

Initiated