Bengaluru: With the idea of finding a solution to the increasing shortage of skilled doctors in government hospitals, health minister Shivananda Patil announced that henceforth doctors and surgeons will not be appointed for the administrative posts.

“Personally I feel that if the doctors are appointed for the administrative post, then they will not be available to serve the patients. Administration can be carried out by anybody, but patients cannot be treated by just anybody. Appointing doctors to the administrative posts is a waste of manpower and tax payers’ money,” he said adding that a discussion has been already held in the department on changing the administrative structure of the health department.