‘Threat to Protest’: Inductions of 900 trainee medical officers demanded

PESHAWAR: The representatives of various groups of doctors recently demanded from the government to ensure the induction of 900 young doctors in its hospitals as trainee medical officers to save their future.

They warned that if the demand wasn’t met, the doctors and students of different medical colleges would stage a sit-in outside the provincial assembly building after one week.

Leading a group of doctors, All Doctors Association leader, Dr Qasim told reporters that the young doctors, who had passed the FCPS (Fellow of College of Physicians and Surgeons) Part 1 examination and fulfilled the criteria for induction as trainee medical officers to complete the mandatory training in teaching hospitals for taking Part-II examination in different specialties, weren't adjusted by the government despite repeated requests.

“We contacted the relevant health officials time and again but none of them paid serious attention to resolve our demands,” he said.

Dr Qasim warned that the associations of doctors had also taken the students of various medical colleges into confidence to launch a joint protest campaign soon if the government didn't pay attention to their issues. He said of the total young doctors, only 385 had been given the opportunity to undergo training, while the remaining over 900 awaited induction as TMOs (Treating Medical Officers).

The association leader said the future of 900 doctors had been endangered by the government even though they passed FCPS examination. He said the government was bound to train all doctors selected for specialisation.

Dr Qasim said all public sector hospitals in the province lacked medical staff but the government wasn't interested in filling vacancies. He said as the population grew, the people's problems were fast increasing due to a lack of health facilities.

-MN Report