Punjab to Hire Retired Doctors as Professors to Fill Faculty Gaps
Punjab government plans to appoint retired doctors and private professionals as professors on contract basis to address faculty shortages in 12 medical specialties; applications open until November 5.
The Punjab government is set to appoint retired doctors and medical professionals from the private sector as professors and associate professors on a contract basis, according to a report by 24NewsHD TV. The move aims to fill dozens of vacant teaching positions across various medical specialties, with doctors up to 65 years of age eligible to apply. Applications have been invited until November 5.
The appointments will focus on 12 key basic and clinical science departments facing severe faculty shortages: Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Anaesthesia, Pulmonology, Oncology, Radiology, Biochemistry, Forensic Medicine, Psychiatry, Paediatric Surgery, Paediatric Cardiac Surgery, and Paediatric Cardiology. The contract period will be a maximum of three years, or until the age of 65, or until a regular candidate is appointed through promotion or the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), whichever comes first.
Senior doctors have welcomed the move, noting that it will create opportunities for junior doctors. Many of these positions have remained vacant for months, leaving junior doctors to work without proper supervision from senior faculty members. The hiring of retired professionals is expected to provide necessary mentorship and ease the burden on existing staff.
However, some sources have raised concerns that appointing professors and associate professors on a contract basis could weaken the permanent structure of medical education and affect the promotion prospects of doctors already working in government institutions. They fear the policy could increase administrative control over medical education and make senior academic appointments dependent on officials' preferences.
The proposed appointments have reportedly caused unease among permanent doctors, who believe the move could limit their chances of reaching senior academic positions. The government has not yet publicly explained the reasons behind the policy or responded to the concerns raised by medical professionals.
This development comes as Punjab grapples with a shortage of qualified medical faculty, which has affected the quality of medical education and training. The contract appointments are seen as a stopgap measure to address the immediate shortfall while long-term solutions are considered.
