To address the shortage of medical staff in rural areas and check their migration to private hospitals, the Rajasthan government today told the assembly that it was asking doctors to sign cash bond ranging from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 50 lakh as per their contracts.
On a question of Independent MLA Manak C Surana, Medical and Health Minister R S Rathore said there is a provision of bond but it was not being implemented in toto. "Now it is being effected for doctors," he said.
An MBBS doctor would have to file a bond of Rs 5 lakh for two years' minimum service, doctors doing PG would be required to sign a bond of Rs 15 lakh for five years' service, and senior doctors in service doing PG have to submit a bond of Rs 50 lakh, the minister said.
There is a huge scarcity of doctors in remote border areas of the state, especially tribal belts and Jodhpur division's Barmer and Jaisalmer, despite cash incentives for those joining doctors' post in these areas, the minister said.
Specialists are paid cash incentive of Rs 30,000, in addition to their salary and emoluments, and para-medical staff Rs 12,500, he added.
The minister said of 31,686 vacant posts of para-medical staff, 10,265 would be filled by April 30 through promotions, and 20,082 through fresh selection in March and April.
Altogether 1,115 posts of medical officers and 80 of dental doctors have been filled, he said, adding the rest of vacant posts would be filled by March 31.
Doctors adopting their jobs as professionals, and not as missionary, and joining private hospitals on higher pay package have become a major concern for the state government, Rathore said.
