Thiruvananthapuram | The Kerala Health Department has set up a special HR cell to prepare doctors' seniority lists and ensure timely promotions, the KGMOA said.

Health Minister K Muraleedharan's office said the cell was set up at the Directorate of Health Services to coordinate with various sections and expedite procedures related to seniority and promotions.

The move comes amid vacancies in the department, which have affected the filling of key posts and added to the difficulties faced by patients due to a shortage of doctors, it said.

The cell will function under the leadership of Deputy Director (Medical and Hospital Administration) Dr Anil V and Junior Administrative Medical Officer (Planning) Dr Vineeth V R, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

The government aims to resolve all seniority and promotion-related issues concerning doctors in the specialist, general and administrative cadres by December this year and ensure timely promotions, the minister's office said.

The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association on Friday welcomed the decision, describing the formation of the HR cell as a long-standing demand of the organisation.

The association said the move was particularly significant as more than 600 doctor posts remain vacant in the state, creating a crisis in the health sector.

"Delays in procedures at various levels had for years resulted in doctors being denied their due promotions," KGMOA said.

It said vacancies in important posts could not be filled on time because of such delays, affecting patients as well.

KGMOA expressed hope that completing promotion procedures in the specialist, general and administrative cadres by December would help address the shortage of doctors and improve the functioning of the Health Department.