Posts Lying Vacant, Punjab Govt Struggles to Attract MBBS Docs

Dept Extends Joining Deadline to Jan 12 After Nearly 30% of Selected Candidates Fail to Turn Up

- Ravinder Vasudeva

CHANDIGARH: Despite tall claims, Punjab is struggling to attract sufficient MBBS doctors in its latest recruitment drive with nearly 30% of the selected candidates failing to join their posts even after the January 3 deadline.

Out of the 400 advertised posts for medical officers (general), 304 candidates were issued appointment letters on December 3, 2024, with a one-month window to join.

However, by the deadline, only 218 doctors had reported for duty, prompting the department to extend the joining deadline to January 12.

According to director of health and family welfare, Dr Hitinder Kaur, around 30 selected doctors have requested an extension, citing their ongoing commitments in the private sector.

"We have issued notices to the absentees, seeking reasons for not joining. Most have responded, and we will finalize the department's next steps by the end of this week," she said.

On January 3, the department also issued a public notice in newspapers, warning that the selection of doctors who fail to join by January 12 would be cancelled.