Bengaluru, February 21 (NationPress) The role of non-medical personnel is equally vital as that of doctors, and individuals in the health sector must act with compassion, transcending the barriers of caste and religion, stated Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday.

This comment came during the distribution of appointment letters under the Abhaya Hasta initiative, organized by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, which encompassed hiring for multiple positions within the Health and Family Welfare Department as well as the Food Safety and Drug Administration.

The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that 1,000 individuals received their appointment letters and began their roles in the Health Department. He pointed out that working in the health sector is not merely a job but a significant service that involves saving lives and preventing illnesses.

Siddaramaiah highlighted that since his government took office for a second term, there have been ongoing efforts to gradually fill vacant positions, addressing various challenges in the recruitment process.

He mentioned that sectors like education, health, and policing—directly tied to public welfare—are top priorities for the government, with ongoing efforts to fill existing vacancies. Currently, over 250,000 positions remain unfilled across different government departments, and these will be addressed progressively.

The Chief Minister noted that the recruitment efforts are being conducted transparently through counseling to mitigate corruption. Approximately 5,700 positions, including those for doctors, have already been filled through this counseling process.

He asserted that preventing corruption in recruitment and transfer processes is a fundamental aim of his government, warning government employees against succumbing to middlemen involved in transfer issues.

Reemphasizing the importance of all healthcare staff, Siddaramaiah stated that non-medical employees are essential to the Health Department's operations and should perform their duties with humanity, setting aside caste and religious differences.

“When blood is needed for patient treatment, caste and religion are overlooked. Yet, once individuals recover, they revert to the cycle of caste and religious disputes,” he remarked.

The Chief Minister stressed the necessity for a greater focus on disease prevention, advocating for a proactive approach within the Health Department.

He concluded by mentioning that the government is rolling out various schemes aimed at bolstering and enhancing the state's healthcare system.