Punjab extends deadline for 1,000 MBBS doctor applications

The last date to apply for 1,000 medical officer (MBBS doctor) posts in the state Health Department has been extended by one week, from May 15 to May 22.

This decision was taken after the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) raised the issue on behalf of recent MBBS graduates.

The original application period was from April 25 to May 15.

It is learnt that some 2019 batch graduates had informed the PCMSA that their internships ended on April 18, this year, and they were still waiting for their internship completion certificates and Punjab Medical Council (PMC) registrations. Without these documents, they were unable to complete their applications on time and thus sought a two-week extension to submit them.

The PCMSA took up the matter with Director, Health and Family Welfare, Dr Hitinder Kaur. It was then discussed with Principal Secretary, Health, Kumar Rahul and finally approved by Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh.

The Health Minister has also instructed all medical colleges and the PMC to speed up the process of issuing certificates and registrations to help the candidates, said sources.

Meanwhile, the PCMSA thanked the concerned authorities for understanding the problems of the aspirants and extending the deadline to ensure fairness in the recruitment process.

Notably, the state government has invited applications from all aspirants through Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot, which will also conduct the recruitment process.