UP Government sets conditions for super specialty studies for government doctors

With the objective of providing better and higher-level health facilities to patients in government hospitals of Uttar Pradesh, the state government has taken an important decision. Doctors of the Provincial Medical and Health Service cadre will now be able to pursue super specialty and other higher medical programmes to enhance their expertise after completing PG (Post Graduation). According to a report by ABP News, following the directions of Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak, V. Hekali Zimomi, Chief Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, has issued a detailed order in this regard, which has been implemented with immediate effect across the state. It is expected that this step by the government will lead to a significant increase in the availability of specialist and super specialty doctors in government hospitals in the future.

According to the new government order, PMHS doctors holding PG degrees and diplomas will be able to secure admission to higher medical courses through the NEET entrance examination. However, it will be mandatory for doctors to obtain prior permission from the department for this. The government has also set several strict conditions and rules to avail of this facility. There should be no departmental proceedings, vigilance inquiry, or any kind of criminal case pending against the applicant doctor. Additionally, the doctors' probation period must be completed and their confirmation order must have been issued. Furthermore, their service record must be entirely satisfactory.

The maximum age limit for doctors to enter higher medical courses has been fixed at 45 years. This age will be calculated based on December 31 of the year preceding the application year. Doctors going for studies will have to deposit their original MBBS and PG degrees at the office of the Director General of Medical and Health Services.

The government has attached a major condition to this facility that after completing higher education, doctors must mandatorily provide their services in government hospitals for 10 years. If any doctor violates this condition after completing their studies, they will have to pay a bond of ₹1 crore as a penalty. Moreover, if any doctor leaves the course midway, they will not be permitted to enter any other higher medical programme for the next 5 years. If a doctor fails the examination more than three times, they will have to obtain government permission to appear for the exam again.

Clarity has also been provided regarding rules for leave and salary. According to the new order, doctors who pursue a higher medical programme for the first time with permission will be granted 2 years of special paid study leave and 1 year of unpaid extraordinary leave. On the other hand, doctors who have previously completed PG and wish to pursue higher education again must complete at least 5 years of the prescribed 10-year mandatory service following their previous studies. Permission for further studies will be granted only after fulfilling this condition. In such a situation, those doctors will have to work in government hospitals for a total of 15 years, and they will be granted unpaid extraordinary leave during their studies.