Upset with Bond Service rules, Rajasthan resident doctors hold black ribbon protest, boycott routine services

Jaipur: Upset with the delayed implementation of bond service terms and rules specified by the Government in this regard, the resident doctors in Rajasthan initiated a protest on Sunday by wearing black ribbons.

In fact, from today, the resident doctors belonging to Government hospitals in Jaipur, including Sawai Man Singh Medical College have started to boycott the routine services for two hours and they plan to increase the pressure on the authorities if the Government does not respond in a positive manner.

Already the PG medicos have written to the principal and controller of Sawai Man Singh Medical College, Dr Rajeev Bagarhatta, the Principal Secretary of the State Health Department and the State Health Minister in this regard.

The medicos are upset with the fact that while the State is strictly imposing the terms of compulsory bond service, it has not issued posting orders to the medicos even though they graduated six months ago.

Apart from this, the resident doctors have also pointed out the different facilities provided to the fresher and the in-service doctors regarding the posting after completion of their PG medical education. They have also referred to the minimal increase in the amount of salary given to the doctors joining the bond service, when compared to the stipend amount given during the residency. Further, the doctors are also alleging that the Government did not keep its promise regarding fulfilling the demands of the resident doctors last year.

Also Read: Compulsory bond service for PG, SS reduced from 5 years to 2 years in Rajasthan

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that back in July, the State Medical Education Department in Rajasthan had issued an order for proper implementation of bond service terms. Back then the State had reduced the compulsory bond service period for doctors pursuing Post Graduate and Super Speciality courses in the state-run medical colleges from a period of 5 years to 2 years.

It had also been specified by the Government that the bond service terms would be effective for all the candidates of the academic year 2019-2020 and beyond.

However, even though the 2019 batch has completed their courses almost six months ago, the Government has not yet issued their bond service posting. Speaking about this, the former President of Jaipur Association of Resident Doctors (JARD), Dr. Amit Yadav told Medical Dialogues, "As per the rule, the Government should give posting to the doctors within three months of their completing the course. According to the existing guidelines of NMC, in case they are not able to give posting, then the State has to release the doctors. It has been more than 6 months since the 2019 batch has completed their courses. However, neither the Government has released their documents nor have they given posting to them."

"Besides, as per the Government order, the new candidates will be given Senior Residentship as a part of their two years Bond Service posting. However, there is no such provision for the In-service doctors. This is a clear discrimination. Another issue is the salary amount. Currently we are getting 75,000 rupees as our stipend during the residency. On the other hand, the Government is offering only Rs 85,000 during the bond service posting. This is a very meagre increase compared to the qualification," he added.

"Further, from this year the bond service has been implemented for the Super Specialty doctors as well. However, they are giving posting them to peripheral areas where there is no seat or vacancy for super specialty. The Government should give posting as per their specialisation and utilize the qualification of the doctors," he informed Medical Dialogues.

Dr. Yadav also mentioned about several technical errors in the bond service guidelines issued by the Government and added, "Last year, when we had initiated strike, the Government had assured to fulfill our demands within six months. However, the Government has not yet fulfilled even one demand even though it has been almost a year."

He told the daily that on Sunday and Monday the resident doctors of Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, Kota, Bikaner and many more had organized black ribbon protest for two hours from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. "Today, the resident doctors belonging to the Government hospitals in Rajasthan have started boycotting the routine services as well and soon other doctors are expected to join us. We will increase the protest activities unless the Government responds in a positive manner," he confirmed.

Also Read: With Strict Bond Terms, Rajasthan In-Service PG Medicos Facing Trouble getting Study Leaves