Doctors on Strike demanding 50pc reservation in PG seats for in-service doctor

Chennai: 50% Reservation in postgraduate medical seats for inservice doctors became the call for a strike of doctors led by the Tamil Nadu Medical Officers Association recently . The Association led protesters, carried placards against the Centre and MCI at Chepauk seeking an amendment to the Council’s regulations. A blindfolded demonstration was held at the Institute of Child Health by the Service Doctors and Post Graduate's Association.

According to the Association, rural health services in had been strengthened with a 50% PG seat reservation in the state having been granted to serving doctors. However, the deviation from the policy has led to rising vacancies at government facilities

The year 2018-19 has 1,585 seats in store for the state, including 396 seats in PG diploma courses. With half going the Central pool’s way, 792 will remain with the state.

PG NEET qualified candidates, both in government service, and the private category are competing for these seats.

The State has yet to release the merit list, as it has a system of awarding extra marks to students serving in difficult and remote areas, prior to their applying for PG programs.

Last year, the committee formed by the State, following the Supreme Court verdict, had identified 16 districts with health centers, as difficult or remote areas. It had recommended 50% reservation for in-service doctors by the state government, and also stated that doctors serving in remote areas be given marks weightage over others.

“The revision of Medical Council of India rules last year meant no reservation of PG seats in radio diagnosis, orthopaedics and other specialty degrees for in-service doctors. This has resulted in 31% vacancy in the posts for doctors in district and taluk hospitals,” N. Gnanaprakasam, President of the Association told the Hindu.

The All India Federation of Government Doctors Associations to meet on March 10 and 11, will take a decision regarding restoring reservation right for in-service doctors, said Secretary, J. Kathirvel.

In a statement to the press PMK founder, S Ramadoss declared that a massive protest would be organized at Valluvar Kottam on March 10, to condemn the injustice done to Tamil Nadu doctors by the Central government and MCI, reported the Express.

In an earlier story done by the Medical Dialogues team, it was reported that 50 percent reservation had been asked for in PG courses by the South Indian State Government Doctors Association (SISGDA) from both by AP State and central governments in institutions all across the country under state quotas, for government doctors. This demand was raised at a meeting held in Vijayawada.

The meeting was attended by both association members and doctors from other south Indian states. The doctors at the meeting decided to wear black badges in protest on January 25 and also boycott work on January 31 to press for their demands in healthcare facilities all over the southern zone of the country.

Read also: Andhra Pradesh: 50% reservation in PG courses for government doctors, demands SISGDA