Punjab government asks rural medical officers to merge with health department amid doctor shortage
However, the move may not garner the desired response, as RMOs have indicated that their consent is contingent on the govt meeting key demands, including protection of seniority and pay-related benefits.
Punjab currently operates around 500 rural dispensaries, each serving approximately 10,000 residents. About 530 RMOs are posted at these facilities across the state. The merger proposal comes at a time when the state health department is grappling with a severe shortage of doctors.
Of the 3,847 sanctioned posts for general medical officers, only 1,885 are filled, leaving 1,962 posts, or 51%, vacant. A similar situation exists in the specialist cadre, where 1,108 of the 2,098 sanctioned posts are occupied, resulting in a 47% vacancy rate.
Overall, nearly 50% of the department's 5,945 sanctioned posts remain unfilled. To address this shortfall, the department initiated the recruitment of 1,000 new medical officers.
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Besides that, officials hope that integrating RMOs into the health department will further help bridge the manpower gap, especially in rural areas.
The health department has written to the department of rural development and panchayats, requesting RMOs to submit their consent via an option form by June 6, in accordance with specified terms and conditions. This follows a series of meetings in April between officials of both departments and representatives of the Federation of Associations of Rural Medical Officers, Punjab.
During these discussions, RMO representatives expressed conditional willingness to join the health department, demanding protection of full seniority and entitlements such as Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) and gratuity.
The health department clarified that seniority for those opting to merge would be counted from the date of their joining the health department, rather than from their date of regularisation in the department of rural development and panchayats.
Additionally, all emoluments will accrue from the date of joining in the department of health. RMOs will be transferred only after providing written consent accepting the stated terms and conditions.
RMOs choosing to remain with the department of rural development and panchayats will continue in their current roles. However, their posts will be designated as a "dying cadre", meaning that once a position becomes vacant, no new appointments will be made.
Instead, the rural dispensary concerned, along with its contractual paramedical and Class IV staff, will be transferred to the health department.
The merger of rural dispensaries has long been a contentious issue. In 2021, 132 rural dispensaries and their staff were transferred to the health department. Many of these centres continue to face irregular and inadequate supplies of medicines, raising concerns about operational efficiency and public health outcomes.
Dr Jagjit Bajwa, representing the Federation of Associations of Rural Medical Officers, reiterated RMOs' position: "We are open to the merger, provided our seniority and pay are protected and we are extended other benefits."
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