Cabinet Minister Gadkari writes to Health Minister demanding Uniform Bond Policy for doctors
New Delhi: Stressing upon the need to have a "stringent and uniform" bond policy for doctors to boost the mainstream health care facilities in the country, Minister Nitin Gadkari has recently written to the Union Health Minister, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya.
Pointing out the fact that a large number of medical students pursue their medical education in government institutes with financial support from the public exchequer and patients from the public at large, Minister Gadkari has also reminded in his letter about the draft of uniform bond policy prepared by MCI (Now National Medical Commission) which is pending with the Central Health Ministry since July 2020.
"This policy has been drafted following directions by Hon. Supreme Court and High Court with due deliberation with stake holders" mentioned the letter by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways.
Previously Medical Dialogues had reported that the while listening to a number of petitions filed by doctors in matters related to compulsory bond service, the Apex Court in 2019 had suggested that suitable steps be taken by the Union of India and the Medical Council of India to have a uniform policy regarding the compulsory service to be rendered by the Doctors who are trained in government institutions.
Later, back in 2020, before being replaced by the National Medical Commission, the erstwhile MCI in a communication before the Madras High Court had spelled out the Uniform Bond Policy for MBBS, PG Medical, SS Courses across the Country.
Referring to the issue of uniform bond policy, Minister Gadkari mentioned in the letter, "Dr. Vitthal Sarjerao Salve has brought to my notice an issue related to effective utilization of medical doctors under uniform bond policy. It has been observed that, although completion of bond period service in the Government recognised institute after completion of UG, PG or Super Specialization degree (MBBS, MD, MS, DM, MCH) is mandatory, most of the students/doctors tend to avoid it for various reasons. Moreover, there is no action taken upon such doctor, who resort to wilful default in compliance."
Referring to the earlier draft of Uniform Bond Policy, the letter mentioned that, "a draft of uniform bond policy was prepared by MCI (Now National Medical Commission) and the same is pending with Central Health Ministry since July 2020. This policy has been drafted following directions by Hon.Supreme Court and High Court with a due deliberations with stake holders."
"The fact remains that, the medical students in government institutes acquire knowledge and degree with a financial support from public exchequer and patients from public at large. Yet, they remain reluctant to serve the people," the letter further stated.
Therefore requesting the Union Health Minister to examine the matter and take appropriate action as per rules, Minister Gadkari further stressed upon the need to have a "stringent and uniform policy so that sufficient number of medical doctors join the main stream health care facilities being run, supported and recognised by the government to serve the commoners."
