Doctor shortage Push for medics to retire at 70

The Public Health Ministry has asked the Civil Service Commission to increase the number of medical workers, professors and health experts in 10 medical fields, which face reduced staff numbers after September this year.

If the Civil Service Commission agrees, senior health officials in the 10 areas facing shortages will have their retirement age extended from 60 to 70 years old. This would be in line with the judicial pro?fession, the minister said.

The 10 medical professions facing a shortage are heart sur?geons, neurosurgeons, general surgeons, forensic physicians, radiologists, and anaesthetists. Medical school professors, including dental professors, pharmaceutical professors and nursing professors are also scarce.

The Health Ministry has asked the Civil Service Commission to provide five extra positions for each med?ical field with a shortage of med?ical workers.

Witthaya said he had already submitted the Health Ministry's proposal to the Civil Service Commission. He expected the Civil Service Commission to approve this proposal and implement it within six months.