Punjab Doctors Demand Domicile-Based Quota for PCMS Recruitment Process for Medical Officers

Faridkot: Doctors in Punjab had urged the Chief Minister and Health Minister to introduce domicile-based reservation for candidates in Punjab and the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) recruitment examination.

MBBS graduates from different medical institutes across the State made representation to the Chief Minister and the Health Minister as the State's ongoing recruitment process for medical officer posts is witnessing an alleged sharp rise in applications and selections from other States.

Especially, candidates from Rajasthan are applying for these posts and the local doctors from Punjab are viewing this trend as severely undermining employment prospects for the medical graduates who pursued their medical education from Punjab.

According to the local doctors, this could hurt the long-term stability of the rural healthcare services in the State.

Also Read: Punjab set to recruit 1000 Medical Officers

Therefore, MBBS graduates from Punjab-based medical institutes approached the Chief Minister and Health Minister and demanded that the government revises its eligibility criteria for the PCMS recruitment. They also demanded preferential treatment or reservation for the candidates domiciled in Punjab, The Tribune has reported.

Doctors have alleged that the State had seen a surge in applications from MBBS graduates in Rajasthan, many of whom were unable to secure employment within their own State due to the lack of posts.

Commenting on this, a medical officer Dr. Dhillon told The Tribune, "This trend is displacing Punjab’s youth from their rightful government opportunities."

Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in a major boost to the state’s healthcare infrastructure, the Punjab Government has decided to recruit 1,000 Medical Officers (MBBS). The decision was revealed during a meeting held between Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Kumar Rahul, Director Health Services Dr. Hitinder Kaur, Director PHSC Dr. Anil Goyal, and representatives of the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA).

Back in May this year, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh announced on that the recruitment process for 1,000 doctors had already commenced to address the increasing shortage of medical professionals in government hospitals.

Also Read: Punjab Govt to hire 1,000 doctors, recruitment underway