The swine flu outbreak that has so far claimed the most victims in Maharashtra, has showed up the shortage of doctors in the state’s public health system.

Earlier this month, when doctors in Pune were hit by fatigue after working for three weeks without a break to tackle the outbreak, the government had to bring in 75-100 doctors from elsewhere.

Largely due to a lack of regular recruitments between 1995 and 2004, the Maharashtra Directorate of Health Services is currently about 20 per cent short of the required strength of doctors. Of the sanctioned 7,281 posts of medical officers, 2,350 are vacant. A few hundred posts have been filled by temporary hires.

Of the 611 sanctioned posts for civil surgeons, 361 are vacant. One hundred and eleven of the 276 sanctioned posts for district health officers, and 373 of the 516 sanctioned posts in 13 specialisation areas such as gynaecology, pediatrics and psychiatry too are vacant.

“For the last several years, there have been no recruitments through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission,” state Health Minister Rajendra Shingne told The Indian Express.