Contractual doctors need not vacate posts after compulsory medical service doctors' appointment: Karnataka Health Minister
Bengaluru: Contractual doctors working in government hospitals and health centres across Karnataka will not have to vacate their posts following the appointment of Compulsory Medical Service (CMS) doctors at the same facilities, the State Health Department has clarified.
A communication was issued to all DHOs, in which Health Minister UT Khader made it clear that contractual doctors already serving at government health centres and hospitals must be allowed to continue their duties. Their existing appointments should not be affected merely because CMS doctors are subsequently assigned to the same locations.
The directive comes amid concerns over the possible displacement of contractual medical officers following the deployment of doctors under the compulsory service arrangement. The Minister has specifically asked district health authorities to ensure that the existing workforce is not removed or prevented from performing its duties.
Explaining the government's decision to retain contractual personnel, the Minister said that more than 300 medical officers had been recruited on a contractual basis within days of his taking charge of the Health Department. The appointments were made to address vacancies and shortages of medical personnel and maintain the delivery of healthcare services across Karnataka.
He described the recruitment as the first instance in the history of Karnataka’s Health Department of such large-scale appointment of contractual medical officers. Maintaining the stability of healthcare services in both rural and urban areas remains a priority, he said, TNIE reported.
The government has maintained that continuity in healthcare delivery across both rural and urban areas remains a priority. Allowing existing contractual doctors to remain at their designated facilities is intended to ensure that services are not disrupted during the deployment of additional medical officers.
The Minister has also warned that disciplinary action will be taken against DHOs who remove contractual doctors from their posts in violation of the instructions. The warning, he said, would apply without exception.
Officials and others who come across instances of contractual medical officers being displaced have been asked to report the matter directly to the Commissionerate for necessary intervention.
