Bhubaneswar, Feb 13 (IANS): Nearly 350 posts of doctors are lying vacant in three government-run medical colleges in the state, Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak told the Odisha assembly here Friday.

In a written reply to BJP member Dilip Ray, the minister said that 346 posts of professor, assistant professor and associate professor are lying vacant in SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, MKCG Medical and Hospital, Berhampur and VSS Medical College and Hospital, Sambalpur in the state.

While 147 out of 409 posts in SCB hospital are lying vacant, 100 of 248 in MKCG hospital and 99 of 254 in VSS hospital are vacant, said the minister.

There are also a large number of vacancies in the three medical colleges in non-teaching staffs.

According to reports, about 705 posts of non-teaching staff are vacant in SCB hospital, 418 in VSS hospital and 602 in MKCG hospital.

The minister said the government is taking steps to fill up the vacant posts.