Row over Eligibility Criteria for Medical Officer Post: Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital cancels interviews

New Delhi: Days after doctors raised concerns regarding alleged mismanagement and recruitment irregularities in the eligibility criteria for the post of Medical Officer, the authorities of state government-run Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital cancelled the interview of medical officers. 

Issuing a notification in this regard, the authorities without any clarification for the cancellation of the interview stated that the recruitment process will be kept on hold and any updates regarding the interview schedule will be posted on the hospital's official website.

“The tentative interview schedule for conducting interview of Teaching Faculty and Medical Officers on 19.07.2024 and 20.07.2024 in reference to advertisement number published on the hospital website is being kept on hold till further order. Any further update in this regard will be published on these websites only,” reads the notice. 

Also read- Doctors Allege Mismanagement, Recruitment Irregularities At Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Urge Delhi LG, Health Minister To Investigate

This comes after a controversy sparked over the governing council of the hospital's decision to add the MHA degree as an eligibility criterion for being a medical officer without getting approval from the Delhi Health Ministry, State Medical Council, and National Medical Council (NMC).

According to an Indian Express news report, officials said, "The interview is cancelled due to not obtaining the necessary approval from the competent authority about adding an eligibility criteria of having a non-medical degree to apply for the post."

Medical Dialogues team had reported that the doctors under the United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) pointed out in its letter that the hospital shockingly modified the eligibility criteria for recruitment in the post of Medical Officers. Even though previously MBBS graduates were considered eligible for these positions, now the Master's in Hospital Administration degree has been made mandatory to be appointed as Medical Officers at the hospital.

Referring to the administration's decision to disqualify MBBS/MD/MS/DM/MCh graduates for Medical Officer positions based solely on the absence of a Master's in Hospital Administration (MHA) as "illogical and detrimental", the association claimed that this policy not only disregards the advanced medical expertise of such candidates but also jeopardizes patient care by excluding the most qualified professionals.

UDFA also pointed out that making the MHA, which is a non-medical degree, essential for the appointment in the post of Medical Officer violates the rules as no approval was taken from the Health Ministry, or this issue was never consulted with any recognized institutes such as the National Medical Commission (NMC) or the Delhi Medical Council (DMC).

The doctors claimed that the recruitment criteria were modified to suit specific candidates. Terming it "unacceptable", the association mentioned in the letter, "Tailoring qualifications to benefit particular individuals not only compromises the selection process but also undermines the principles of fairness and meritocracy."

Apart from this, the association also highlighted pervasive irregularities in the appointment processes at RGSSH. It referred to the appointment of Dr Mona in the position of Deputy Director and claimed that the doctor was appointed without attending the mandatory interviews. 

Following this, the doctor urged the Delhi Lieutenant Governor and Health Minister to order a comprehensive and transparent investigation at the hospital.  

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