New Delhi: The Delhi government has introduced a one-year mandatory service bond for medical students passing out from the all-India and state quota seats. This bond requires graduates to work at medical institutions run by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD)
If the service is not provided, there will be a fine of Rs 15 lakh for undergraduate programs and Rs 20 lakh for postgraduate programs.
Medical professionals on social media are denouncing the Delhi medical service bond system as "forced labor" and "enslavement."
The doctors have expressed their dissatisfaction, highlighting the impact of the policy on medical education and the healthcare system, including medical practitioners and associations.
They argued that the law is unjust, especially since graduates from other prestigious universities such as Delhi University or IIT Delhi are exempt. Concerns have been raised about the fairness and feasibility of the policy.
After passing the exam, medical graduates are required to sign three types of bonds: a service bond, a seat leaving bond, and a bank guarantee. For example, Andhra Pradesh imposes a one-year service bond with a penalty of Rs 40 lakh, while Delhi did not previously enforce any service bonds.
As per the official order, MBBS graduates will be appointed as Junior Residents (JRs), while postgraduates will be designated as Senior Residents (SRs). They will receive remuneration equivalent to the stipend currently paid to JRs and SRs, with additional increments for those in super-specialty courses. However, the decision has faced widespread opposition from doctors, who see it as a violation of their rights and an unfair imposition.
Review of JR and SR position requirements
A committee chaired by the dean of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) will review the need for more junior resident (JR) and senior resident (SR) positions in GNCT hospitals. The committee will assess the current availability of positions and will recommend the creation of additional posts if deemed necessary.
Delhi One-Year Service Bond:
Outrage on social media Medical organizations and doctors took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their discontent regarding the Delhi service bond policy.
Dr Rohan Krishnan, national chairman and co-founder of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), called the bond ‘forced labour and enslavement’, pointing out that by making doctors sign this requirement, the government is trying to make up for shortcomings in the healthcare system.
Dr Krishnan tagged the Lt Governor of Delhi, tweeting: "The @LtGovDelhi should immediately revoke this order. We oppose the forced labour and enslavement of doctors like this. Does IIT Delhi have a bond? Does DU colleges have a bond. Govt is now planning to take the best of doctors from top hospital and send them in PHC/sub optimal hospitals. Recently, screening committee pointed out deficiencies at many Delhi govt Hospitals. Instead of filling those deficiencies now this is happening."
The United Doctors Front Association (UDFA) denounced the move, claiming that it violates the rights of recent medical graduates and is exploitative.
The UDFA demanding an immediate revocation of the unjust policy on a social media post said: “The GNCTD’s forced one-year service bond on medical graduates is a blatant violation of our rights and professional freedom. Team UDFA demand an immediate revocation of this unjust policy. Doctors are not bonded laborers!”
Delhi already has a surplus of junior and senior residents, evident from the thousands of applicants for a few hundred posts each year, Dr Shubham Anand, a junior resident practicing at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi said.
Dr Anand, who is also the national chairman of the Global Association of Indian Medical Students (GAIMS), said: “With the 50 percent of all-India Quota, many students from other states return home after completing their courses. The mandatory bond would force them to stay against their will. It also disrupts students preparing for exams like USMLE/PLAB who wish to relocate abroad, wasting their time.”
“Governments forget doctors have rights," Says AIIMS doctor Dr Datta, a doctor from AIIMS Delhi. He voiced his frustration, stating:"I think this is enough now! Governments tend to forget that doctors have rights, too! They suddenly remember about our rights once we come on the roads to protest! This cannot be normalized! I call upon the fraternity to resist cheap labour = slavery in the name of bonds!"
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Simran Sethi/MSM)
