Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday handed over appointment letters to 160 newly-recruited assistant professors, dental surgeons and medical officers, describing the move as a significant step towards strengthening Jharkhand’s fragile healthcare infrastructure. The ceremony, held at the state secretariat, was timed with the onset of Durga Puja and projected as a festive gift to the people of the state.
Addressing the gathering, Hemant Soren told the new recruits that they were being appointed as “gods on earth” and must show real compassion to the poor and weak. “Your human sensitivity must be visible on the ground so that the underprivileged truly benefit from your service,” he said, urging them to blend professional duty with empathy.
The Chief Minister, acknowledging the state’s limited resources, stressed that passion and commitment could overcome constraints. “Even with fewer facilities, much can be achieved if there is dedication,” he said, adding that the responsibility of doctors went beyond treatment to creating a positive environment for patients.
The fresh appointments include 54 assistant professors recruited through JPSC, 55 contractual specialists under NHM, 38 medical officers, and 13 dental surgeons. They came at a time when the state continues to struggle with a skewed doctor-patient ratio, shortages in district hospitals, and uneven rural healthcare delivery. By expanding the pool of medical professionals, the government hopes to fill critical gaps and reduce the dependence of patients on neighbouring states.
Hemant Soren linked the initiative to the broader series of recruitments across sectors that his government has been rolling out in recent months. “Every new batch of appointments adds another link in the chain of institution-building,” he said, underlining jobs creation as both a governance and political priority.
He also directed the Health Department to institutionalise a tradition of recognising and rewarding doctors who perform well in their postings. “Acknowledging the work of dedicated doctors will boost morale and inspire others to give their best,” the Chief Minister noted.