Doctors stay away from government sector

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 16

A government job is considered coveted one by many, but doctors in Punjab, if you go by the number of vacant slots after the walk-in interview for the post of the medical specialist, seem to have an aversion for it. The Punjab Health Department was in a tight spot when 58 per cent of the advertised posts of the Medical Specialist remained vacant after the first round of interview. 

 Of the 513 advertised posts, only 215 doctors joined, leaving 297 posts vacant.

 The authorities have now decided to hold another round of interview to fill the posts. Branches of medicine, paediatrics and radiology have the highest vacancies. Of the 46 advertised post in the radiology branch, only three were filled while 23 pediatricians joined against 121 vacant posts. In medicine, only 21 out of the 69 posts were filled. No vacancy of specialist was left in the ENT and pathology branches. 

Many of doctors have already left the government job because of unnecessary harassment,” said a senior doctor at Government Rajindra Hospital. 

Dr DS Bhullar, president, Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, said, “Low salary is one of the main factors that prevents doctors from joining the government sector.”   

Major turnoffs

• Low salary: At a time, when private hospitals are offering a handsome salary, specialists are being paid just around Rs 63,000 in pay and perks. In the private sector, they get around Rs 2.5 lakh per month. Those dealing with radiology and paediatricts branches get Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh per month in the private sector.
• Clerical work: In the government sector, doctor cannot stay away from the clerical work. As a government doctor, one has to write medico-legal reports (MLR) in every legal case. “A doctor ends up making multiple rounds of the court,” said doctors.
• VIP duties: To follow the protocol, during a visit of the Chief Minister, minister or Governor, a team of the medical experts accompany them. Doctors said that every month a roster was prepared by the Civil Surgeon for VIP duties.