Parliamentary panel flags brain drain from health dept, delay in filling vacancies in research posts

NEW DELHI: A parliamentary committee has expressed concern over posts of scientists in the Department of Health Research (DHR) lying vacant for an “unacceptably” long time and the continued exodus of trained and talented Indian professionals to developed countries.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, in its report presented in the Rajya Sabha this week, recommended urgent measures to address the issue, adding that the practice of contractual appointments be stopped to prevent desertions.

To curb the trend of brain drain, India must enhance higher education options, research infrastructure and funding and improve standards of living and stipends of scientists, possibly with the involvement of the private sector, the panel said in its report. PTI