Rajasthan UTB Doctors left in Limbo After Abrupt Termination

The United Doctors Front, representing many of these medical professionals, has voiced strong disapproval over the state health department’s sudden move, claiming it was made without prior notice or any indication of contract renewal.

Many of these doctors, who had been stationed in remote and underserved regions at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs), had been working for extended periods under a series of short-term contract renewals. Despite their vital role in maintaining healthcare services in hard-to-reach areas, their contracts were not extended this time, leaving them jobless overnight.

The UTB framework, designed as an administrative stopgap by the Rajasthan Health Department, was originally intended to address urgent staffing needs. It became particularly prominent during the COVID-19 pandemic and has since continued to support the health system in the face of ongoing personnel shortages and recruitment delays. However, doctors under this system have not been given permanent status, despite years of continuous service in many cases.

Talking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Bharat Pareek, President of UDF Rajasthan and member of JARD, stated, “UTB doctors working in the state have been working for a long time to provide health benefits to the people of Rajasthan and even during the Covid period, they have played an important role in providing health services to every household. The tenure of the UTB doctors working in government hospitals in rural areas of the state has been completed on 31st March, but instead of extending their service period, orders for their termination have been passed in many districts. Loo season is going on and terminating the service of doctors will make it extremely difficult to extend proper healthcare services, specially, in rural areas.”

UDF also pointed out that due to the postponement of the upcoming recruitment of Medical Officers and the departure of PG doctors, there is a huge shortage of doctors in rural areas and many PHCs and CHCs have become devoid of doctors. Hence, the doctors have requested them to extend their tenure. Adding to the confusion and frustration, other UTB categories — such as pharmacists and nursing staff — reportedly received contract extensions. Doctors questioned why their services were singled out for termination while others remained employed, despite all serving under the same temporary classification.

The United Doctors Front has urged the government to reconsider its stance and reinstate the doctors, emphasizing their essential contributions to the rural healthcare system. Many fear that the sudden withdrawal of experienced medical personnel could lead to a serious disruption in public health services, particularly in areas already grappling with a shortage of doctors.

Doctors Welfare Federation (DWF) has also submitted a letter to the Director, Medical and Health Department stating, “The services of UTB officers whose tenure was ending on 30.09.2024 were extended till 31.03.2025 or till regular personnel were available on the vacant posts, whichever was earlier. In compliance with which their services were being taken, after that, no orders for extension have been issued in this regard. However, in Rajasthan, due to many doctors employed in PHCs and CHCs going for PG studies and vacant posts, the medical system of the state is collapsing. A doctor is being given additional charge of 2-4 PHCs / CHCs, which leads to inability to provide medical facilities properly. Therefore, Sir, it is requested that till the posting of Medical Officer Recruitment -2024, the services of the said essential temporary basis (UTRB) medical officers should be increased after 31.03.2025 to provide benefits to all the common people and also provide relief to the doctor colleagues from additional workload.”