Fair Play for Veterans: HMOA Demands Equal PG Opportunities for Old GDOs
The Himachal Medical Officers Association urges the state government to ensure fair PG admission opportunities for veteran GDOs.
The Himachal Medical Officers Association (HMOA) has stepped forward to demand a fair shake for veteran doctors in the state. The association is urging the Himachal Pradesh government to reconsider the PG/SS Policy Amendment notification issued on October 28, arguing that the current framework may overlook the years of dedication put in by old General Duty Officers (GDOs) when it comes to postgraduate admission opportunities.
The Core of the Conflict: Recognition of Service
At the heart of the matter is the calculation of Rural Incentive Marks, which are crucial for doctors seeking admission into postgraduate (MD/MS/MDS) courses. The HMOA is calling for a fair evaluation of the services rendered by old GDOs, insisting that the length of service and eligibility provisions already in place for existing Health Department doctors must be honored.
The association clarified that it is not trying to block the path for newly recruited Job Trainee Medical Officers. Instead, they argue that the opportunities given to newcomers should not come at the expense of those who have already spent years serving in the state's most challenging environments.
Sacrifices in the Field
The HMOA highlighted the grueling nature of the work performed by old GDOs, many of whom completed their mandatory three years (approximately 1,095 days) of rural and field service. These doctors operated under the following conditions:
- Working with severely limited resources in remote areas.
- Providing critical emergency medical services.
- Managing maternal and child healthcare and infectious disease control.
- Serving on the dangerous frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The association expressed deep concern that if these initial three years of mandatory service are treated as a "zero-incentive period" and excluded from calculations, these doctors will be denied benefits that reflect their actual hard work and sacrifice.
Concerns Over Urban Postings
Beyond rural service, the HMOA also raised the plight of doctors who served three or more years in urban healthcare institutions. Since these doctors were not eligible for rural incentives, the association is requesting that their cases be reviewed based on the nature of their postings and the policy conditions applicable at the time of their service.
"No doctor should suffer an unfair disadvantage merely because they had completed their service under an earlier policy framework before subsequent amendments were introduced."
The Policy Shift: Clause 4(B)
The tension stems from the October 28 notification, specifically the amendment to Clause 4(B). This change allows Job Trainee Medical Officers to be considered for PG courses under the 66.6 per cent in-service quota, provided they meet certain conditions regarding their remaining service and bond obligations after their postgraduate studies.
While the HMOA acknowledges these new provisions, they argue that such a shift must be accompanied by a comprehensive review of the old GDOs' positions, specifically regarding:
- Their qualifying service records.
- The calculation of Rural Incentive Marks.
- The overall impact of these amendments on merit-based admissions.
A Call for Transparency, Not Conflict
The HMOA has been careful to state that this is not a battle between the "old guard" and the "new recruits." Instead, they frame it as a matter of transparency and equal opportunity. They maintain that the government has a dual responsibility: to provide educational pathways for new doctors while simultaneously protecting the legitimate interests of those who have already dedicated years to the state's healthcare system.
The association has officially urged the state government to undertake a full review of the PG/SS policy and its amendments to ensure that the contributions of old GDOs are appropriately recognized and rewarded.