Instead of increasing retirement age, re-employment, hire new docs: Assn

Instead of appointing new doctors and encouraging freshers to join the public healthcare sector, the government move to increase the retirement age of PCMS specialist doctors and re-employment of retired doctors has not gone down well with PCMS specialists.

Flaying the government’s decision, president, Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), Dr Akhil Sareen, said: “As far as the move to re-employ PCMS specialist doctors (post-retirement) on a contractual basis is concerned, though it seems to be an effort by the government in the larger public interest to retain specialists in the cadre in the backdrop of shortage of specialists, the PCSMA feels that in the long run, a more pragmatic way to address the issue should be a renewed focus on encouraging young doctors to join the public health cadre through annual rounds of walk-in interviews, annual recruitment of MBBS doctors and paramedics, coupled with adequate infrastructure and a safer and more conducive work environment.”

As the decision to extend the retirement age from 62 to 65 years in the PMES cadre is concerned, the PCMSA has expressed concern over the move, as it will affect the career progression and promotion opportunities of young specialist doctors.

“There is no shortage of specialist PCMS doctors who are qualified enough to be promoted to these posts in various government medical colleges of the state. The extension, if necessary, should be limited to clinical work only and administrative posts should be kept out of its ambit,” said another PCMS doctor.

Members of the association are of the view that the government should encourage the younger lot to join healthcare services by providing good pay scales and job security. “Reappointing doctors and extending the retirement age are temporary solutions and the government should rather work on providing long-term solutions,” they said.

Ludhiana