Karnataka Doctors seek PG seat reservation, higher salaries for rural service

Mangaluru: Amid the ongoing shortage of doctors in government healthcare centres, Karnataka government doctors have sought reservation in postgraduate medical seats and better salaries to encourage MBBS graduates to serve in rural postings.

The doctors stated that many MBBS graduates avoid government service in rural areas due to lack of opportunities and low salaries. They demanded reservation in the PG seats to attract more MBBS doctors and a hike in salaries to those serving in remote places.

The demands were raised during a district-level review meeting of the Health and Family Welfare Department chaired by Health Minister U.T. Khader in Mangaluru recentlyy.

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A health officer serving in a urban primary health centre said as reported by The Hindu, "The salary to MBBS graduate should be hiked to Rs 75,000 from the present Rs 60,000. The hike was announced under the National Health Mission Scheme but suddenly withdrawn."

On this, District Health and Family Welfare Officer H.Thimmaiah said "Some seats in the PG should be reserved for those serving at the PHCs."

Another health officer said "Grace marks should be given during the PG entrance test (for MBBS doctors) for their years of service at PHCs."

A doctor who had been serving at a Namma Clinic in a remote area of Dakshina Kannada for the last 10 months said that her salary was initially Rs 75,000 but was later reduced to Rs 60,000. She said that she is facing difficulty with the present salary and also stated that she was not getting a break from service to prepare for the PG entrance test on August 30.

Responding to the concerns, Health Minister U.T. Khader said the government was considering increasing salaries for doctors serving in remote areas. He assured that steps would be taken to attract more MBBS graduates to government healthcare centres. He also assured of addressing the concern of the doctor serving at Namma Clinic.

Further, Dr Thimmaiah said that out of the 64 sanctioned posts of medical officers in rural primary health centres, 38 are permanent positions, 11 are filled on contract basis, while eight posts are currently lying vacant.

Taking note of the vacancies, Mr Khader directed the District Health Officer (DHO) to conduct walk-in interviews at the earliest to recruit MBBS graduates on contract basis. He also instructed officials to ensure that candidates applying for vacant posts are not made to wait unnecessarily at the DHO office.

"Have a disciplined system. This will help to improve image of the department," Mr. Khader advised.

District Reproductive and Child Health Officer B. Rajesh suggested that recently retired medical officers could be engaged to address the shortage of doctors in government healthcare centres.

Meanwhile, Mr Khader instructed taluk health officers to make regular visits to PHCs under their jurisdiction. He also directed them to serve for at least 15 days a month in PHCs where medical officer posts are vacant.

However, Mangaluru Taluk Health Officer Sujay Kumar Bhandary pointed out that despite the formation of new revenue taluks such as Ullal, Mulky and Moodbidri, all four taluks, covering more than 40 PHCs, continue to remain under his supervision.

He said, "It is difficult for me to attend the taluk level meetings of each of these taluks. A senior health official in each of these taluks be designated as officer to attend the taluk-level meetings."

Mr. Khader said private medical institutions are being roped in to fill the gaps and provide high end treatment, free of cost, to people at PHCs. "There will be problems serving at government healthcare centres. The problems will be taken on priority and redressed," he said.

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