Latest news with #PCMS
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab health system hit by exit of 30 specialists who signed 10-year bond
Chandigarh: In a blow to Punjab's struggling public healthcare system, 31 specialist doctors who pursued post-graduation under the govt quota abruptly exited service without completing the mandatory service period or depositing the stipulated bond amount of Rs 50 lakh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This departure comes at a time when the state is already grappling with an acute shortage of specialist doctors in its public health institutions. These doctors had availed govt-sponsored, post-graduate medical education, which requires a 10-year service bond in exchange for subsidised admission under the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) quota. On average, 50–100 medical officers are granted such seats annually, making them contractually bound to serve the state for a decade after their PG course. In the most recent wave of exits, four doctors each resigned from Sangrur and Ludhiana, three each from Kapurthala, Mansa, and Faridkot, two each from Mohali, Tarn Taran, and Ropar, and one each from Bathinda, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Barnala. Not only have these doctors breached their service commitment, but none have deposited the bond amount they pledged at the time of admission. Alarmed by this violation, the Punjab health department directed civil surgeons across districts to initiate recovery proceedings. Civil surgeons have been instructed to contact these doctors immediately and serve them a 21-day notice to deposit the bond amount. If they fail, disciplinary action will be initiated, and the department has directed that a formal request be made to the Punjab Medical Council or relevant regulatory bodies to cancel their medical registration. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to departmental guidelines, in-service PCMS or PCMS (dental) doctors applying for PG or super-specialty courses must first secure a certificate from their civil surgeon, verifying service tenure, rural postings, and absence of pending inquiries. Based on this, the director of health services (DHS) issues a recommendation for eligibility, following which the department grants an eligibility certificate for PG admissions. Once selected, these candidates are required to submit an indemnity bond, promising to serve for 10 years after their PG, or pay a penalty of Rs 50 lakh in case of default. Only after submission of the bond are candidates granted a no-objection certificate (NOC) and relieved. Failing to fulfil the bond terms is treated as gross misconduct, warranting not only financial recovery but also de-registration from medical councils. The policy stipulates that only serving doctors with at least 2 years (or 1 year in some cases) of service are eligible for the NOC to pursue higher studies under the bond conditions. Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin said the govt is well within its rights to enforce the terms of the service bond. "Doctors who avail govt quota for post-graduation must honour their professional and moral obligation to serve the public health system," said Dr Sarin. "Terms are clear, and respecting the bond ensures that quality health services reach the people of Punjab. " He added such abrupt exits undermine the state's investment in medical education and directly impact healthcare delivery in underserved regions. The association has also urged the govt to take a balanced view, ensuring that while discipline is maintained, larger systemic issues like pay parity and work conditions are also addressed to improve long-term retention. "As Punjab's public health infrastructure continues to strain under the weight of vacancies and attrition, the enforcement of bond obligations may serve as both a deterrent and a signal of the govt's renewed focus on accountability and service delivery," he said. MSID:: 122391241 413 |
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab turns to retired specialists to fix crippling doctor shortage in public hospitals
Chandigarh: With nearly half of Punjab's sanctioned specialist doctor posts lying vacant, state govt has turned to its retired medical workforce in a last-ditch effort to plug widening gaps in public healthcare. In a move both pragmatic and desperate, the health department has invited retired govt doctors to apply for 100 contractual posts of consultants (specialist doctors) across district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres (CHCs). This recruitment drive comes amid a deepening crisis in Punjab's healthcare system. Of the 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts, 990 (47%) remain vacant. The situation is no better in the general medical officer cadre, where 1,962 of 3,847 posts (51%) are unfilled. Irregular recruitment cycles and growing attrition have compounded the shortage, with previous efforts to hire yielding underwhelming results. In 2022, the state attempted to recruit 634 specialist doctors, but faced a poor response. Recently, out of 170 advertised posts, only 60 doctors joined. Experts attribute this reluctance to factors such as pay disparities, frequent deployment for VVIP duties, and lack of emergency medical staff, which often forces specialists to handle tasks outside their core responsibilities — including post-mortems and emergency coverage. The health department is now banking on the experience of retired PCMS specialists, aged between 58 and 64 years, to fill critical service gaps. The upper age limit for appointment is 65, and applicants must be free of disciplinary proceedings. The 100 consultant posts will be distributed across specialties — 21 in paediatrics, 20 each in obstetrics and gynaecology, and general medicine, 15 in general surgery, 13 in anaesthesia, seven in radiology, and four in psychiatry. Appointments will be on a contractual basis for one year, extendable annually based on performance and departmental approval. Consultants will perform only clinical duties — outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care — and will be exempt from medico-legal, administrative, or post-mortem responsibilities. They will not be allowed to engage in private practice during the contractual period. Applications are being accepted via email from July 12 to 22, with counselling scheduled for July 25 in Chandigarh. Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin described it as a "step in the right direction" toward improving healthcare access for the poor and underserved. He noted that walk-in interviews for an additional 160 specialist posts are also in the pipeline. Dr Sarin added that planned reforms, including the restoration of the modified assured career progression (MACP) scheme and enhanced security measures, which are nearing implementation, could play a crucial role in improving recruitment and retention in the public health cadre. "The govt's renewed focus on reinforcing clinical manpower is encouraging," Dr Sarin said. "If supported with systemic reforms, these measures can significantly ease pressure on public hospitals. " BOXES Under Court Scrutiny The crisis has also caught the attention of the judiciary. The Punjab and Haryana high court, hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Bhisham Kinger of Malerkotla, has directed the principal secretary, health, to submit a detailed affidavit on infrastructure and manpower gaps in govt health facilities. The court has also asked for an update on the status and timeline of the ongoing recruitment process. Pay disparities to blame Experts attribute the reluctance of specialists to join service in Punjab to factors such as pay disparities, frequent deployment for VVIP duties, and lack of emergency medical staff They say this often forces specialists to handle tasks outside their core responsibilities, including post-mortems and emergency coverage Of 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts in Punjab, 990 (47%) remain vacant. The situation is no better in the general medical officer cadre, where 1,962 of 3,847 posts (51%) are unfilled
Hindustan Times
27-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
3rd hospital violence in a month: Two groups clash at Nawashahr civil hospital
In the third such incident in Punjab this month, two groups clashed inside the emergency ward of Nawanshahr's civil hospital on Friday evening. Similar clashes had been reported from Dera Bassi and Gurdaspur civil hospitals on April 11 and April 12 respectively, following which the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Association had demanded that security guards be deployed at state-run hospitals. During a meeting with PCMS representatives, the government had agreed in principle to beef up security at medical facilities across the state. In the latest incident, the two groups had been admitted to the emergency ward with medicolegal injuries when they began verbally abusing each other. According to the police, the hospital staff asked the two groups to move to separate wards, but they continued abusing and assaulting each other. A cabin in the hospital was also damaged in the incident. Following the complaint of the hospital's medical officer Gagandeep Singh, a case under Sections 194(2) (affray) and 324(3) (mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and other sections of the Punjab Protection of Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2008, was registered against four accused. The accused were identified as Jashanjit Singh Kahlon, Jaskarandeep Singh, Gaurav Kumar and Vishal Chhadi, all residents of Muzaffarpur village of SBS Nagar. PCMS association state president Dr Akhil Sarin said it is highly condemnable that yet another incident of violence has been reported from a hospital. 'Besides doctors and medical staff, such incidents pose a threat to patients as well. We met state government officials last week who assured us that security would be provided at civil hospitals and other medical facilities. We demand the government to fast-track the process.'
