Bonds for PG medical admissions- Not NMC, Only States can provide in-service reservation: MoS Health in Parliament

New Delhi: The concerned State Governments, and not the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI), now the National Medical Commission (NMC) can take the necessary initiative to provide reservations for the in-service candidates for admission to PG medical courses by executing bonds, the Union Minister of State for Health Smt. Anupriya Patel informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

While responding to the queries raised by Parliament member Dr. Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade, Minister Patel informed that even though previously the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 had provisions to grant incentive marks to doctors working in remote and difficult areas, the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court held in 2020 that the State has the legislative competence to provide for a separate source of entry for in-service candidates seeking admission to postgraduate degree/diploma courses in exercise of powers under Entry 25, List III.

Parliament member Dr. Dharmasthala Veerendra Heggade sought to know from the Union MoS Health whether the issue of compulsory rural posting for the MBBS graduates seeking admission in postgraduate courses has been left to the State Governments who are the principal employer of doctors.

He also questioned whether the Government has amended the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 to encourage doctors working in remote and difficult areas, and sought the details of the incentives being contemplated to be given to the doctors to serve in the remote and difficult areas and whether the Government will formulate a policy in health to attract and retain doctors in Government services.

In response to these queries, the Union Minister of State for Health Smt Anupriya Patel informed that the Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2000 had provisions of granting incentive marks to doctors working in remote and difficult areas.

However, the Minister informed that in Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association and Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. Writ Petition (Civil) No 196 of year 2018, the Constitution Bench of the Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its judgment dated 31.08.2020 ruled "that the State has the legislative competence and/or authority to provide for a separate source of entry for in-service candidates seeking admission to postgraduate degree/diploma courses in exercise of powers under Entry 25, List III.

"Hence, the concerned State Governments, and not erstwhile MCI can take the necessary initiative to provide reservation for in-service candidates for admission in PG medical courses by executing bonds. However, to enhance healthcare facilities at District/Rural level and to address the issue of shortage of specialists in the country, the NMC has approved District Residency Program where the second/third year PG students of medical colleges are to be posted in the district hospitals for a period of three months," informed Minister Patel.

Further, the Minister informed that under the National Health Mission (NHM), flexibility is given to the States for providing hard area allowance, performance-based incentives, providing accommodation and transport facilities in rural and remote areas, sponsoring training programmes etc. to engage human resources, to address the issue of shortage of doctors and specialists in the public health facilities. 

"States have also been allowed to offer negotiable salaries to attract Specialists including flexibility in strategies such as ''You quote, we pay"," informed the Minister.

Smt. Patel informed that the States are also encouraged to adopt flexible norms for engaging doctors and Specialists for public healthcare facilities. These include 'contracting in' and 'contracting out' of specialist services and engaging specialists outside the government system for service delivery at public facilities under NHM.

She further mentioned that the Government has taken various steps to improve the overall satisfaction of the doctors working in government hospitals including the following:

 Enhancement of retirement age in all four sub-cadres of Central Health Service (CHS) to 65 years w.e.f 13.08.2018 to retain the talent subject to the posting at nonadministrative posts after 62 years of age.

 Introduction of time-bound promotions without linkage to vacancies for doctors under Dynamic Assured Career Progression (DACP) Scheme, upto Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level.

 The duration of study leave to pursue higher studies/research work has been increased to 36 months for CHS officers instead of 24 months in other cases.

 The benefit of Non-Functional Upgradation (NFU) has been granted to CHS doctors.

 The Ministry has started Foundation Training Programme (FTP) for newly recruited GDMO sub cadres of CHS.

 Annual Preventive Health Check-Up introduced for doctors over 40 Years of age.

 Diplomate of National Board qualification has been recognized for appointment as faculty.

 Doctors are encouraged to attend international seminars, conference in health sector to increase their professional capabilities, provide updates on the latest treatment protocols and medical advancements.

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