Dimapur, Nov. 8 (EMN): Nagaland Medical Students’ Association (NMSA) has expressed shock and dismay over the recent notification of the Nagaland Health and Welfare department relating to special recruitment drive for the post of 96 medical officers, 41 junior specialist, 21 Ayush doctors and five dental surgeons and appealed to the authority concerned to immediately review its decision and issue fresh order in accordance with NPSC rules to give equal and fair opportunity to all the budding doctors
NMSA, in an update, stated that the medical student fraternity was highly perturbed by the policy changes in alignment with the regularised medical officer recruitment process. The association stated that it was dismayed by the “unjust criteria” set by the department of Health and Family Welfare for the special recruitment drive, rewarding special preferences and incentives to the officers/ staff serving on contract/ engagement basis under NHM, NSACS, NHAK and the state, who have served the healthcare system during the pandemic.
NMSA stated that those officers and staff were given special relaxation of upper age limit up to 45 years against 35 years set for NPSC with allocation of 25% ( i.e. 125 marks) for COVID MO +10% (ie 50 marks) for work experience.
It stated that the association does not, in any way, see an equal and a just system in the recruitment drive as per the notification issued.
NMSA, therefore, questioned as to on what basis the NPSC exam be called a competitive exam when those candidates (COVID MOs) get 125 marks plus additional 50 marks for work experience even before appearing exam.
“What will be the future of the medical graduates be? When the number of medical officers recruited through NPSC written and viva exams approximately stands at 91 seats in 11 years from the period of 2011-2021, if the government goes to accommodate all 142 seats of medical officers to those who have completed 100 days of COVID duty and other contract MOs through biased means?, NMSA questioned.
It argued that the special recruitment drive had only discouraged the students and junior doctors who want to go for further studies but also killed the competitive spirit which, in the long run, would compromise the already deplorable and pitiable condition of the state’s healthcare system.
“While acknowledging the work of our medical officers and the COVID contract recruited medical officers in tackling the pandemic, the special recruitment drive in no way justifies the deprivation of our medical graduates and students of their opportunity and vision,” the association stated.
NMSA appealed to the concerned authority to advocate inclusive educational approach by considering the hopes and future of the young students and graduates waiting for an opportunity to qualify by merit through NPSC written and viva exams.
It further appealed to the authority concerned to immediately review its decision and issue fresh order in accordance with NPSC rules, to give equal and fair opportunity to all the budding doctors.