The unemployed pharmacists of the state expressed their discontent and frustration during a press conference held at the Agartala Press Club, demanding immediate recruitment into vacant posts. The qualified youths, who hold degrees in Pharmacy, raised their concerns after unsuccessful attempts to approach the state Health Minister cum Chief Minister, Dr. Manik Saha.
One of the qualified unemployed pharmacists addressed the press, stating that despite announcements of pharmacist appointments in December 2021 and August 2022, following cabinet decisions, no official notification has been issued for recruitment thus far. The state currently has around 4,000 qualified pharmacists specializing in allopathic, Ayurvedic, and Homeopathic departments. Despite the existence of approximately 519 vacant posts in the health department, the state government has failed to take positive steps towards their recruitment.
The job aspirants expressed disappointment, highlighting that no recruitment of pharmacists has taken place in the state since 2016. They emphasized the adverse effects of the staff shortage on hospitals across the state, with some even having to close due to the lack of homeopathic and Ayurvedic pharmacists. The unemployed pharmacists accused the government of inaction and called for immediate action to address the crisis.
The job aspirants further lamented the lack of opportunity to meet the Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of the state health minister, despite repeated attempts to seek an appointment.
The unemployed pharmacists demanded the state government and the health department to promptly initiate the recruitment process for qualified pharmacists. They also warned of a larger agitation in the coming days if their demands are not met expeditiously.
The frustration expressed by the unemployed pharmacists reflects their urgent need for employment opportunities in the healthcare sector. Their plea for immediate recruitment underscores the critical importance of filling the vacant pharmacist positions to address the staff shortage crisis in hospitals across the state. The state government now faces the challenge of responding to these demands and taking necessary action to alleviate the concerns of the job aspirants.
