Daily Times

LAHORE: In order to curb the culture of politics in medical institutions, the Punjab government has imposed a complete ban on political activities at teaching hospitals and directed the newly inducted postgraduate trainee doctors not to become part of any such event.

A PG trainee would not be allowed to be a part of any political party or member of medical or dental wing of any political organisation during the entire period of training. The principal/head of institution were also empowered to terminate the contract of such PG trainees without serving any prior notice.

The government officials privy to this development claimed that the Specialised Healthcare and Medical Education (SH&ME) Department has made strict disciplinary rules and regulation in the regard. In other words, newly inducted PG trainees have been warned to stay away from political activities the Young Doctors Association (YDA) in public hospitals.

Formed some eight years ago, the Punjab YDA was represented by over 20,000 young doctors at all government hospitals of the province. The main strength of the association has been the postgraduate trainees and house officers. Young doctors have been giving tough time to the provincial government over central induction policy (CIP) for PG trainee programmes, including FCPS, MD, MDS and MS.

Sources further said that SH&ME significantly increased the PG slots in past while currently, more than 4,500 PG training slots were available in the public sector teaching hospital in Punjab. Now, ending the medics’ monopoly, department has devised a comprehensive transparent system generated through merit-based PG induction policy named ‘Punjab Post-Graduate Training Programme’ after unanimous consensus from all stakeholders. In order to facilitate the institutions and aspiring doctors, the SH&ME secretary would devise regulations for its implementation at all levels.

That SH&ME Department has written a letter to all principals of medical colleges and medical superintendents (MS) of teaching hospitals, directing them to keep a close eye on such movements in their institutions.

According to rules, a PG trainee doctor would not be entitled for private practice or second job at any other hospital/institution during the training period. The PG training is a full-time residential job and they shall perform duty in department ward as per duty roster defined by head of department.

No official accommodation would be provided to the PG trainee during the period of training. However, a non-furnished room on single or share-basis would be provided to the PG trainees subject to payment of utility charges/room rent and availability in the hospital/hostel. The provision of hostel accommodation is purely made to ensure round the clock availability of PG doctors in hospitals/ward.

The total duration of the course would be as per stipulated period of the programme chosen out of which the contract for one year would be granted (extendable on yearly bases subject to satisfactory performance). The PG would be entitled to draw stipend as fixed by the government as admissible under the rules and subject to availability of stipendiary seats in the respective specialty in the respective institute where he/she is placed.

Once a PG trainee dropped or leaves the course incomplete, he/she would not be eligible to rejoin the course until decided by the hardship committee. The contract of PG trainee could be terminated at any time during the training period in case of violation of contract agreement, misconduct, absence or poor performance as per disciplinary rules.

The PG trainee shall not be allowed to change his/her course at any stage during the study for which he/she initially recommended by the Joint Admission Committee.