Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has expressed deep concern over the increasing number of doctors opting for voluntary retirement (VRS), calling it a “growing public health crisis.” While dismissing a petition filed by a Professor of Physiology, the court urged the government to take urgent measures to retain medical professionals in government service.
Doctors Leaving in Alarming Numbers
The HC bench, led by Justice S.K. Panigrahi, observed that the unchecked exodus of doctors is weakening the healthcare system, leaving patients vulnerable.
“If left unaddressed, this will weaken the very foundation of healthcare. It will leave the sick without healers, the suffering without aid, and the state unable to fulfill its most fundamental duty—the protection of life,” the court noted.
Government Directed to Amend Rules
In response, the court directed the Odisha Government to amend the Odisha Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1992, aligning them with other states’ frameworks that restrict voluntary retirement in critical sectors like healthcare. The changes must be implemented within three months.
Case Background
- The petitioner, a Professor in Physiology at MKCG Medical College, was transferred to SRM Medical College, Bhawanipatna but sought a transfer cancellation.
- After her request was denied, she applied for voluntary retirement citing health reasons.
- The VR Committee rejected her plea, citing a critical shortage of doctors in government hospitals.
- Challenging this, she moved the High Court, arguing that the rejection was arbitrary and illegal.
Court’s Observations
- The court ruled that the state’s need for doctors outweighs individual preference for retirement.
- It emphasized that a doctor’s role is one of public trust and cannot be abandoned without due regulation.
- The HC upheld the rejection of the petitioner’s VRS request, stating that the shortage of medical professionals is a matter of grave public concern.
Recommendations to Retain Doctors
Recognizing that law alone cannot solve the issue, the court suggested broad policy measures for doctor retention:
- Better Pay & Benefits: Equitable and transparent compensation for medical professionals.
- Work-Life Balance: Flexible working hours and support for mental well-being.
- Greater Autonomy: Physicians should have a role in policy decisions.
- Improved Staffing: Reduce administrative burdens on doctors.
- Use of Technology: Implement AI and digital tools to ease documentation work.
- Mental Health Support: Establish burnout prevention programs for doctors.
- Regular Reviews: Periodic assessments of workplace conditions to address concerns.
Final Verdict
The court dismissed the plea, stating that public health must take priority over personal preference. It warned that allowing doctors to retire en masse would set a dangerous precedent, potentially collapsing the healthcare system.
“The demands of individual preference must yield where the greater public good is at stake,” the HC concluded.
