Vacancies in Central Govt Hospitals: DGHS reinstates Ad-hoc appointment until formulation of new uniform policy

New Delhi: Taking note of the vacancies in the posts of residents, which is negatively affecting the healthcare facilities in the Central Government Hospitals, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has temporarily reinstated the old practice of ad-hoc appointment in selection of Non-Academic JR/SR for Medical/Dental Departments.

Following this order of DGHS, these posts shall be filled via ad-hoc appointment by conducting walk-in interview for vacant posts every month after inviting application through proper mechanism, until the formulation of new uniform policy for selection of Non-Academic JR/SR of Dental and Other Departments.

"In view of complaints raised by various Central Govt. Hospitals on discontinuation of ad-hoc appointment which lead to vacant resident posts and adversely affecting the smooth functioning of the Hospital. It is decided by the competent authority to follow old practice (ad-hoc appointment by conducting walk-in interview for vacant posts every month after inviting application through proper mechanism) in selection of Non-Academic JR/SR for Medical/Dental Departments in Central Governments Hospitals until finalization of new policy which is under consideration and policy circulated vide letter dated 14.03.2022 may be kept in abeyance," the medical education section of DGHS mentioned in the new order dated May 5, 2022.

"The selection should be done in a fair and transparent manner while following the reservation policy under intimation to the undersigned," it added.

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Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that with an aim to bring equity and transparency in the recruitment process at central government hospitals, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) had previously decided to put a stop to the practice of ad-hoc appointment and introduce a uniform policy for selection of Non-Academic JR/SR of Dental and Other Departments.

"Consequent upon receiving several complaints regarding recruitment of Non-Academic Junior Resident/Senior Residents in dental and other departments, the competent Authority has decided to discontinue the practice of ad-hoc recruitment in central government hospitals. In order to bring Equity and Transparency in the Recruitment process, a standardized policy has been formulated for the recruitment of JR/SR for dental and other departments in a meeting held under the chairmanship of DGHS on 08.03.2022 (Enclosed) All Central government hospitals under the administrative control of Directorate General of Health Services are requested to follow the newly framed recruitment policy with immediate effect and complete and selection process in rational and time bound manner," DGHS Medical Education Section had mentioned in an order.

The decision in this regard was taken by a committee of DGHS which took note of the complaints from students regarding recruitment of JR/SR doctors in central government hospitals. After enquiring the representatives from various hospitals about the existing policy for Recruitment in Dental & other departments in all three Central Government hospitals, the committee learnt that regular admissions were made on the basis of written test and interview. However, in case of ad-hoc appointments, there was no proper system for recruitment and many times appointments are made on the basis of recommendation from the HOD.

There was mixed response from the medical fraternity regarding this decision of discontinuing ad-hoc appointment. While the doctors lauded the move as such policy opened up the possibility that doctors would not be denied of their basic rights, there were Central Government Hospitals as this resulted in vacancy in the posts of residents.

Taking note of the situation, DGHS recently confirmed that the old practice of ad-hoc appointment by conducting walk-in interview shall be continued until finalization of the new policy.

The copy of the DGHS order has been sent to the Medical Superintendent of VMMS & Safdarjung Hospital, Medical Superintendent of ABVIMS & Dr. RML Hospital, Director of LHMC & Associated Hospitals.

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