The written test for the posts of the Health Assistants will be held today, with about five lakh candidates vying for 6391 vacant posts.

The last recruitment of health assistants took place in 2004 and currently around 7000 posts, out of a total of 20,909 posts, are lying vacant, hampering the primary healthcare service in the country.

Some 4,95,000 candidates in 61 districts will sit for the written test today, said the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

In three districts of Chittagong Hill

Tracts (CHT), the recruitment will take place separately through the CHT regional council. The process is supposed to be completed by the end of February, said the authorities. Some 44 posts of health assistants are lying vacant there.

Comilla has the highest number of vacant posts and 16,604 candidates will contest for 293 posts.

"But the highest number of candidates was recorded in Mymensingh. Some 22,303 candidates will vie for 247 posts," said Dr Mohammad Firoz Mia, a consultant of the DGHS.

"And the lowest number of vacant posts isinPanchagarh.Atotalof2761 candidates

will vie for 17 posts, "he added.

The DGHS sources said that the examination will be held from 10:00am to 11:00am and the results will be published within a week.

The recruitment process will be completed by the end of January, they said.

The health assistants are the primary health care providers in the country. They are engaged in the activities of immunisation, birth registration, health campaign, maternal and child health care and vitamin A campaign at ward level.

The health assistants will also serve at the community clinics that the government is setting up for every 6000 people.