The Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association (SDPGA) has requested the Director of Medical and Rural Health Services (DMS) and the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine to fill specialist vacancies in DMS institutions by displaying the vacancies in the upcoming counselling for medical officers recruited through the Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRB).In a statement, SDPGA president P. Saminathan said there were a number of government hospitals with less than eight doctor posts in various districts functioning under the DMS and providing round-the-clock services by deputation and diversion of doctors. A sizeable number of government hospitals under the DMS still have vacant posts of specialists, leading to further shortage and difficulties in running 24-hour services.In this situation, the directorates should display the specialist vacancies in DMS institutions during the upcoming counselling on June 4 and fill them, the association added. Published - June 02, 2026 08:39 pm IST