Web Desk: The Punjab government has approved a new recruitment policy for public-sector medical colleges and teaching hospitals, allowing authorities to fill vacant positions through three-year contracts instead of permanent appointments.
According to an official notification issued by the Specialized Healthcare Department, the revised hiring framework will apply to several senior medical and academic positions across government-run medical institutions.
The decision aims to address the shortage of specialist doctors and ensure uninterrupted medical education and healthcare services.Under the new policy, authorities will recruit medical professionals for vacant posts on an initial three-year contractual basis.
The approved framework covers Grade 18 positions, including senior registrars and assistant professors, as well as Grade 19 associate professors and Grade 20 professors.
Previously, these positions were generally associated with regular recruitment procedures. However, the new arrangement allows institutions to fill vacancies through fixed-term appointments.
The Specialized Healthcare Department has formally communicated the decision to medical universities, colleges and teaching hospitals for implementation.
According to the notification, contractual appointments will be specific to the institutions where candidates are recruited.
Furthermore, the government will apply the prescribed quotas for initial recruitment to ensure that appointments follow the applicable hiring requirements.
The initial contract period will last three years. However, authorities may extend appointments if employees demonstrate satisfactory performance.
The policy establishes a performance-based mechanism for retaining medical professionals beyond their initial contractual terms.
The government says the revised recruitment system will help overcome the shortage of qualified medical specialists in public-sector healthcare institutions.
