Ahmedabad: The Gujarat State Branch of Indian Medical Association (IMA-GSB) on Friday wrote to health minister Praful Pansheriya to represent the issue of MBBS doctors who have submitted bonds.‘A large number of bonded MBBS graduates remain unemployed for several months after successfully completing their MBBS course and compulsory internship while awaiting official posting orders from the govt. This prolonged delay results in the underutilisation of qualified medical professionals, loss of valuable service time, delayed career progression, and unnecessary financial and professional uncertainty for young doctors who are willing and obligated to serve,’ read the letter.IMA office-bearers also pointed out that several govt hospitals, especially in rural areas, continue to face a shortage of medical officers (MO). The timely deployment of bonded MBBS doctors would ensure utilisation of manpower and strengthen the public healthcare delivery system, added the letter.The letter requested publication of the complete merit list, consideration of eligible candidates, a transparent recruitment process, recognition of govt service, and temporary NOC provision.‘The complete merit list of all eligible candidates should be published in sequential order to ensure transparency and enable candidates to clearly know their position in the recruitment process,’ the letter said. ‘Candidates beyond merit rank 1,490 should also be considered for the first round, or those awaiting bond cancellation due to administrative delays should be granted adequate time to complete the formalities. The recruitment process should be conducted in a transparent, fair and merit-based manner, ensuring equal opportunity and avoiding injustice to any candidate or healthcare institution,’ the letter further stated.It added that the candidates unable to produce bond cancellation documents within the stipulated period should be allowed to participate by submitting a temporary NOC, subject to subsequent verification.The letter also made a case for Class II medical officers, requesting that they be given equal consideration in the recruitment process with eligibility for revised remuneration of Rs 1 lakh a month.‘Such measures will not only safeguard the interests of deserving young doctors but will also strengthen the healthcare system by ensuring the timely availability of qualified medical officers across the state,’ said a senior IMA official.
