Around 100 out of the 1,300 doctors appointed this year are yet to take up duties, said the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA).
Its secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said 50 doctors had not accepted their appointment letters, while 50 others are yet to report for duty after accepting appointments.
If this trend continues, the health sector could face a serious crisis, he warned.
With a starting basic salary of Rs. 54,000, a doctor cannot obtain a loan to build a house and get married, forcing them to look elsewhere to plan a future, said Dr. Aluthge.
The brain drain of doctors, including specialists, has resulted in the closure of many rural hospitals as well, he noted.
The GMOA secretary urged authorities not to subject doctors to unreasonable taxes and to ensure a mechanism to secure their profession.
