Agreement on new service structure for doctors

Following are the important points with regard to service structure of doctors agreed upon unanimously between Punjab government and doctors associations:

Doctors associations, PMA, MTA and YDA presented 54 demands during different timings to the government and Punjab government has agreed upon charter of responsibility under which doctors will not take part in such activity which creates hurdle in the provision of basic treatment to the patients. In case of differences between doctors and health department, a high level committee will find a practicable solution of that problem. Two years service will be compulsory in rural areas for new doctors. Doctors having post-graduate degree will be posted in DHQ hospitals so that best medical facilities could be available to the people. However, it has been linked with the transfer policy. Doctors associations will also ensure implementation of the private practice law. In addition, keeping in view the reforms health management cadre has been created for the administrative posts in health department. Approval has been given to the 25% promotion quota for medical officers from grade 17 to 18 as senior registrar while 50% promotion quota for the consultants from grade 17 to 18. Similarly, further reforms have been made in four tiers service structure for providing promotion opportunities to the doctors of general cadre after that, under new formula 3% quota for grade 20, 19% quota for grade 19, 36% for grade 18 and 42% for grade 17, has been approved.

Moreover, approval has been given to the new posts for 1400 doctors in grade 18, 1100 in grade 19 while 200 in grade 20. Health department will send promotion cases of doctors 6 times to promotion board. As many as 190 new vacancies will be created for senior registrar. Posts of paid house officers have been increased as a result of which paid house jobs will be provided to all male and female students completing education from government medical colleges. Similarly, like all other cadres, approval to the service structure for dental cadre including non-practicing allowance has been given. In addition, it was agreed to send recommendations to the committee for further improving the system of writing ACRs, approval to the 5000 per month allowance for qualified FCPS medical officers, phased wise increase in the stipend for medical officers and post graduate trainees, approval to the indexation of health professional allowance under which allowances will increase at the same ratio with the salaries. Setting up of a committee for forming transparent transfer policy, establishment of a health services academy and setting up foolproof security system in the hospitals were also agreed.