For the first time, the Punjab government is set to introduce a comprehensive central induction policy for postgraduate doctors in health sector. Under this policy, doctors would apply online for post graduation ship and the whole process would be purely merit based. This would also end the exploitation of doctors and by implementing this policy, within few years, the shortage of specialist doctors in many specialties including anesthesia would be overcome.
This was revealed during a meeting of a delegation of Young Doctors Association (YDA) with the advisor to Chief Minister on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique and Secretary Specialized Healthcare & Medical Education Najam Ahmad Shah here Saturday. Led by Dr Adnan Gondal, the other members of the delegation were included Dr Maroof Wains, Dr Mehmood-ul-Hassan and Dr Shabbir Chaudhary.
Najam Ahmad Shah apprised of the delegation in detail about the proposed new central induction policy for postgraduate doctors in the teaching hospitals. He said the main objective of this policy is to uphold merit and transparency in the system and to overcome the shortage of specialist doctors in those specialties where doctors are in less number so that better medical facilities could be available to the people in these hospitals.
He further said that through this policy, hundreds of paid seats would be created in different specialties. Regarding the apprehensions of young doctors on the new induction policy, Secretary Specialized Healthcare said that this policy is not against anyone and all speculations are just propaganda. This policy would provide further opportunities and way forward to the doctors for progress in their profession, he said, adding: "Culture of serving without pay would also come to an end through this policy."
The members of YDA delegation in their comments stated that this briefing has provided them opportunity to understand the proposed policy in a better way. Dr Mehmood-ul-Hassan, a member of the delegation said that they would discuss salient features of the policy with their colleagues and try to convince them on it. Vice Chancellor (VC) KEMU Professor Dr Faisal Masood, VC Fatima Jinnah Medical University Professor Dr Sardar Fakhar Imam, Principal Allama Iqbal Medical College Professor Mehmood Shaukat and the officers of Health Department were also present on the occasion.