Internship quota for PHC doctors who want to pursue PG courses increased to 20%

PHC doctors stage a demonstration outside the Collectorate in Vijayawada on Wednesday. | Photo: KVS GIRI

Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav announced that the internship quota for PHC doctors in PG courses will be increased to 20% in all branches of the clinical department.

Mr. Satya Kumar was addressing a meeting on September 25 (Wednesday) at APIIC Towers in Mangalagiri in which representatives of the Association of Doctors of Primary Health Care Centres, Special Chief Secretary (Health) MT Krishna Babu, Commissioner C. Hari Kiran, and Director of Medical Education DSVL Narasimham participated.

GO. Ms. No. 85 issued in July this year reduced the job reservation for PHC doctors seeking to pursue PG courses in medical colleges from 30% to 15% in clinical specialties and from 50% to 30% in non-clinical specialties.

For 15 days now, doctors have organized protests demanding the withdrawal of GO. At the meeting organized last week, the minister agreed to make changes to the GO, but the meeting to determine the percentage was to be held later.

Urging the doctors in the LPZ to start work immediately, the minister said that by increasing the quota to 20%, 258 more places for PG will be provided.

He also said that they have changed the point in the GO which requires doctors to pursue a PG course in the same branch as their diploma and added that now they can opt for a course in any branch.

The other amendment was regarding restrictions on GPs wishing to register a second PG. The minister clarified that candidates for qualification enhancement can go for second PG course at their own expense.

Assuring that the government would also consider their other demands such as tribal allowance, the minister said the PHC doctors should immediately call off their strike and resume duties.

Earlier in the day, many doctors staged a demonstration outside the Collectorate in Vijayawada highlighting their problems.