KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) is all set to appoint 171 medical officers for around 65 districts this week. Surya Prasad Acharya, chief, human and financial resource management division under the ministry, said the recruitment of medical officers is being done as per recommendation of the Public Service Commission (PSC) under general health services category. "We are recruiting the health professional for the district hospital and primary health care centres,” said Acharya, adding that some will be posted at zonal and central hospitals too. "After a long time the ministry is recruiting such a huge number of medical officers," claimed the chief. According to MoHP, they had requested the PSC a year ago to fill the 171 posts lying vacant then but the vacant posts at present has gone up to 248 already. Talking to The Himalayan Times, Acharya said that the new recruits have already been given orientation classes. They will be responsible for providing curative services, preventive care and health education to general people. He said that most of the doctors are recruited for two years and one year depending upon the remoteness of the area. Rural districts across country are reeling under shortage of doctors.