London, July 8 : Hospitals in Ireland are now facing staff shortage due to lack of junior doctors, and the country is seeking medics from other countries, including India and Pakistan, a government agency said.

The Health Service Executive told a government committee that 158 junior doctor positions have become vacant, Xinhua reported.

Failure to fill these positions will lead to shortage in a number of emergency departments around the country, it said.

Though the agency said doctor shortage was a worldwide problem, the lack of junior doctors in Ireland has been blamed on long working days, pay cuts, and lack of training and career opportunities.

In an attempt to fill the gaps, the agency also sent a delegation earlier this year to India and Pakistan to launch a recruitment campaign.

All doctors from outside the European Union need to present documentary proof of their qualifications and most face a written examination to test their knowledge.(IANS)