| News Details |
| Sukesh C. Khajuria urges Union Health Minister to Introduce 'One Nation, One Policy' | | for Mandatory Service Bonds for MD/MS Specialists |
Jammu, July 20 (Scoop News)-Senior Social and Health Activist Sukesh C. Khajuria has submitted a detailed representation to the Hon'ble Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, seeking the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive "One Nation, One Policy" National Framework on compulsory service bonds for postgraduate medical specialists (MD/MS) graduating from Government Medical Colleges and other publicly funded institutions.
The representation highlights the urgent need to address the persistent shortage of specialist doctors in rural, tribal, hilly, border and other underserved regions of the country. While India has witnessed significant expansion in medical education infrastructure, specialist healthcare services continue to remain concentrated in urban centres, depriving millions of citizens of timely access to quality healthcare.
Khajuria stated that medical education in Government Medical Colleges and publicly funded institutions is substantially financed through taxpayers' money. Therefore, a reasonable period of mandatory public service by specialist doctors trained at public expense is both equitable and necessary to ensure optimum utilization of public investment for the benefit of society.
Emphasizing the constitutional commitment to equitable healthcare, the representation states that access to quality healthcare forms an integral part of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees the Right to Life. Ensuring specialist healthcare reaches every citizen, irrespective of geography, is essential for building a "Healthy India, Strong India" and advancing the national objective of "Nation First."
Khajuria has urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to initiate consultations with all States and Union Territories for evolving a uniform national framework governing compulsory service obligations for MD/MS specialists. The proposed policy seeks to provide standardized national guidelines relating to service duration, deployment, remuneration, incentives, career progression and transparent enforcement mechanisms.
The proposed framework envisages deployment of specialists in District Hospitals, Sub-District Hospitals, Community Health Centres, Government Medical Colleges and other public healthcare institutions facing acute shortages, with particular emphasis on rural, tribal, remote, hilly and border areas.
A key recommendation contained in the representation is the introduction of a five-year compulsory public service framework for all MD/MS specialists graduating from Government Medical Colleges and publicly funded institutions, comprising:
• Two years in the State or Union Territory where the specialist completed postgraduate studies;
• Two years in the doctor's home State or Union Territory; and
• One year in any State, Union Territory or region identified by the Central Government on the basis of national healthcare priorities and specialist shortages.
The representation further recommends attractive incentives, competitive remuneration, improved infrastructure, enhanced support systems and better career advancement opportunities to encourage specialists to serve in underserved regions.
Simultaneously, it proposes uniform and effective enforcement mechanisms, including recovery of bond amounts and substantial financial penalties for unjustified non-compliance. In appropriate cases, penalties may extend up to ₹1 crore, or such amount as may be prescribed by law, to compensate for public expenditure incurred on specialist medical education.
According to Khajuria, a well-designed national framework would significantly strengthen India's public healthcare delivery system, reduce regional disparities in specialist healthcare access and ensure that public investment in medical education translates into meaningful public welfare.
The representation also notes that the proposed policy is fully aligned with the vision of "Barah Saal Vishwas Ke, Vikas Ke, Jan-Kalyan Ke" by promoting equitable healthcare delivery, strengthening public institutions and ensuring that every citizen, irrespective of location, receives access to specialist medical care.
Khajuria has requested the Union Government to initiate consultations with all States and Union Territories at the earliest for formulation and implementation of the proposed National Policy in the larger national interest, reaffirming that strengthening public healthcare is essential for realizing the vision of a Healthy India, Strong India, guided by the constitutional values embodied in Article 21 and the enduring principle of Nation First.
Copies of the representation have also been forwarded to Smt. Anupriya Patel, Hon'ble Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; Shri Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav, Hon'ble Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, IAS, Union Health Secretary; Dr. Abhijat Chandrakant Sheth, Chairman, National Medical Commission (NMC); and Dr. Raghav Langer, IAS, Secretary, National Medical Commission, for appropriate consideration and necessary action.
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