BENGALURU: Over 700 doctors who have got government quota medical seats in the state by promising mandatory rural service but have skipped the obligation will soon face disciplinary action.
The State Department of Health and Family Welfare has prepared the first list of doctors who are practicing at various hospitals and also as private practitioners.
A showcause notice will be issued to them shortly, seeking an explanation for skipping mandatory rural service. This measure has been taken by the department officials following a note sent by Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar. On April 26, Kumar asked the department officials to initiate action against doctors who have not carried out the mandatory rural service even after submitting a bond.
The communication sent by the minister, a copy of which is with Express, reads: “Candidates who have opted for MBBS and post graduate medical courses under the government quota were mandated to do rural service as per the 2006 mandatory rural service act. From 2008-09 to 2013-14, at least 3,702 candidates had to serve at rural areas, but only 86 have completed the service.
Considering this a serious violation of rules, I am directing you to issue notices insisting them to attend rural service or pay the penalty. Failing the same, licences must be withdrawn for such candidates.”
Following this communication, department principal secretary Shalini Rajneesh wrote a letter to the chairman of Karnataka Medical Council requesting its support to withdraw the licences of such doctors.
“As per the MCI’s Code of Medical Ethics, the state medical council and the Medical Council of India have the power to withdraw the licences of doctors if they are found guilty of professional misconduct. Considering this, we have prepared to issue showcause notices to such candidates with the support of the state Medical Council,” a senior official of the department said.