Ludhiana: In a significant move to address the shortage of medical professionals, the Punjab government has assigned postings to 255 specialist doctors under the bonded government service program. These doctors, who have recently completed their Postgraduate (PG) courses, will be deployed across various government hospitals and healthcare institutions to improve medical services in the state.
Addressing the Doctor Shortage
Punjab has been facing a severe shortage of specialist doctors, with many positions remaining vacant despite recruitment efforts. The Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) welcomed this initiative, stating that the deployment of these young specialists will help bridge the healthcare gap and benefit the poor and needy.
Specialists Across Multiple Departments
As per the health department’s notification, the newly appointed doctors include:
36 Physicians
35 Surgeons
25 Gynaecologists
24 Anaesthesiologists
19 Orthopedists
16 ENT Specialists
8 Paediatricians
These doctors come from government medical colleges in Patiala, Amritsar, and Faridkot (Guru Gobind Singh Medical College & Hospital).
First Time Postings in Peripheral Hospitals
PCMSA state president Dr. Akhil Sareen highlighted that while the bond for service has always existed, it was not strictly enforced earlier. However, after COVID-19 exposed the urgent need for doctors, the government started posting PG doctors not only in medical colleges but also in peripheral healthcare facilities, such as district hospitals and community health centers.
The move, along with further recruitment drives and walk-in interviews, is expected to significantly improve specialist healthcare services across Punjab.
