In the last four years, more than 250 doctors which includes nephrologists, cardiologists, vascular and neurosurgeons who have completed super speciality courses in Tamil Nadu did not join government service. It is a gross violation of the 2-year service bond which they had signed during the admission at state-run medical colleges.

During the time of admission, all the doctors have to sign a service bond. The in-service doctors remain in their service till superannuation, those who are outside government service and they serve the government for at least two years or they pay a fine of Rs 50 lakh.

Director of medical education, Dr R Narayanababu, said that the state can post the non-service candidates to any of their hospitals in two years of completion of course. However, only 30% of them are willing to join duty and none of them pay the fine.

Officials from the State medical education department say that a majority of medical students prefer to study at government medical colleges because the annual tuition fee is approximately Rs 30,000 as compared to Rs 25 lakh in the private sector. Also, the government pays students a monthly stipend of Rs 40,000 as super speciality students, to those who are post-graduates and work at the medical college hospital while studying.

PG students have better chances of securing a higher speciality medical seat in Tamil Nadu because the state provides the maximum number of seats next to Delhi. As per the National Medical Commission, approximately 14% of the 4,238 super speciality seats in the country are in Tamil Nadu. Out of the 594 seats, the state shares 50% seats with the Centre for admission via All-India quota. The state selection committee manages the remaining 50% seats for admission through single window counselling.

In the last few years, numerous non-service candidates who had completed their course did not join duty in spite of several reminders and amendments in posting. Few went “missing” even before the posting, whereas the others had taken the post orders but went out of touch soon after joining. Officials from the directorate of medical education said that the state has refrained from taking any legal action as the purpose was to make these doctors serve in GHs.

Tamil Nadu requires super speciality medical officers for their 26-government medical college and hospital. Here the treatment includes high-end organ transplants and cochlear implants that are done free of cost. The government has received approval for 11 new medical colleges in districts and would require specialists to start super speciality courses.

Officials are discussing serving legal notice to candidates who have not joined duty. A senior official at the directorate of medical education said that they have to join duty or else pay the fine. This might lead to legal battles but they are confident they will prove themselves right in the court.

Source: ET Healthworld