The heavily short-staffed public medical institutions of Gujarat are now facing a serious recruitment slump, as its recent drive conducted for over 29 class-1 posts yielded zero applications.

Following this fiasco, the department has eventually resorted to extending the application deadline.

The Gujarat Public Service Commission (GPSC) rolled out recruitment of 29 posts for professor, class-1 and associate professor, class-1 in various subjects in the state’s health and family welfare department.

The recruitment drive was conducted online on the OJAS (Online Job Application System) platform from November 11 to December 10.

A striking slump was registered despite offering a pay matrix of level 13.

GPSC Chairman Hasmukh Patel has notified that the application deadline for Immuno Hematology, Cardiology, Medical Gastroenterology, CT Professor of Surgery and Associate Professor of Cardiology, Neurosurgery, Surgical Gastroenterology, GSS class-1 has been extended to December 18.

A senior doctor attributes this slump to better opportunities in the private sector. He said, “There’s an opportunity to make a handsome salary in the private sector. Government service has random postings, while private sector postings are generally in metros. Candidates prefer private over public sector because of the facilities provided in many super speciality institutes.”