India, April 2 -- Amid several healthcare facilities remaining non-functional due to a shortage of doctors and specialists, the state public health department will appoint 5,000 doctors and healthcare staff, Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said on Wednesday.

The move aims to make non-functional and newly built healthcare facilities operational, he said while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 'My Village, Healthy Village' campaign in Pune.

Abitkar noted that several healthcare centres, including First Referral Units (FRUs), are currently non-functional due to a lack of doctors, while newly developed facilities are yet to be operational for the same reason.

Hindustan Times had earlier reported on February 23, 2026, that 64 of...