Health department’s G.O. on in-service quota reduction sparks controversy in govt hospitals 

Doctors demand immediate revocation of G.O.Ms.No. 85 to restore in-service quota

Varaprasadarao K 

 Amid mounting concerns over a severe shortage of doctors (faculty) that has led to penalties on 16 teaching hospitals by National Medical Council, the Andhra Pradesh Health, Medical, and Family Welfare Department’s recent issuance of G.O.Ms.No. 85 has ignited a serious controversy. The order, which drastically reduces the in-service quota for government doctors, has sparked widespread discontent among the medical community, with doctors across the State demanding its immediate repeal and the reinstatement of the previous quota system. They argue that the existing quota is crucial for ensuring the delivery of quality healthcare, especially in rural and tribal areas, and have warned of potential agitation if their demands are not addressed promptly.

The G.O.Ms.No. 85, dated July 20, 2024, reduces the in-service quota for postgraduate medical seats to 15 per cent in clinical branches and 30 per cent in non-clinical branches. This marks a significant reduction from the quotas established under G.O.Ms.No. 150 (December 11, 2021) and G.O.Ms.No. 206 (August 11, 2022), which were introduced in line with a Supreme Court judgment aimed at improving the availability of doctors in underserved areas. Doctors argue that the new order contradicts the Supreme Court’s ruling and undermines the government’s earlier commitment to enhancing healthcare in rural areas.

They contend that reducing the in-service quota will discourage doctors from joining government service, thereby worsening the shortage of specialists in the public healthcare sector. In recent inspections conducted by the National Medical Council, it was found that there is an acute shortage of faculty members in 16 of the State’s 21 teaching hospitals. As a result, the State Health Department was fined Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per hospital, which they have already paid. These inspections, which took place until the end of May, further highlight the severe shortage of qualified doctors in the State’s teaching hospitals, underscoring the necessity of maintaining a robust in-service quota.

The government’s rationale for the reduction—citing the zero vacancy policy and claiming there are now enough specialists—has been met with skepticism. Doctors argue that this reasoning is flawed, pointing to a recent government order (G.O.Rt.No. 09, dated January 5, 2024) that sought to appoint specialists on an hourly basis due to the ongoing shortage of qualified doctors. This contradiction, they argue, clearly shows that the State continues to face significant challenges in recruiting and retaining medical professionals.

Moreover, the omission of key clinical branches such as Orthopaedics, Radiology, and ENT from the in-service quota is particularly alarming, given the government’s plans to establish trauma care centers along national highways and high-end diagnostic centers in districts. The lack of consultation with stakeholders before issuing G.O.Ms.No. 85 has further fueled criticism, with the medical community calling the decision shortsighted and disconnected from the realities of medical education and service conditions in the state.

Doctors emphasize that the in-service quota system imposes no financial burden on the government, as it operates on a cyclical basis where doctors who complete their postgraduate studies replace those pursuing further education. They also underscore the importance of the quota in ensuring that specialists are available to serve in hard-to-reach areas, as these doctors are bound by bond regulations that allow the government to deploy them where they are most needed.

With examination dates approaching, some doctors associations have warned of potential agitation if their demands are not addressed promptly. They are urging the Andhra Pradesh government to repeal G.O.Ms.No. 85 and reinstate the previous in-service quota system, stressing that this is essential for the continued provision of quality healthcare across the state.