Patiala, Feb. 1 -- Around 650 private doctors have applied for the 300 advertised posts of medical specialists under the Punjab government's new scheme of empaneling their services at district hospitals and sub-divisional hospitals.

Sharing details of the scheme, aimed at addressing the shortage of medical specialists in government health facilities, Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh said, "We have received a good response. Around 650 doctors have appeared for walk-in interviews. We will empanel these private doctors on a need basis."

He added that the majority of medical specialists were required in border districts and rural areas of Punjab. "Most of these doctors will be empanelled in border districts like Ferozepur and Fazilka,...