Delhi introduces mandatory one-year service bond; medical community opposes move

NEW DELHI: The Lieutenant Governor of Delhi has introduced a one-year mandatory service bond for medical students graduating from both All India Quota and State Quota undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. This move, has drawn criticism from doctors and medical associations. Medical professionals have taken to social media, calling the Delhi medical service bond system "forced labor" and "enslavement." The Delhi one-year service bond policy requires graduates to serve in medical institutions under GNCT for a year, with penalties for opting out.

The bond will require undergraduate (MBBS) students to furnish a sum of Rs 15 lakh, while postgraduate students (MD,MS) are required to provide Rs 20 lakh, which will be forfeited if the graduates opt out of this mandatory service. This Delhi bond policy, set to be effective from the next academic session, has stirred negative reactions among the medical fraternity.

According to the official order, MBBS graduates will be placed as Junior Residents (JRs), while postgraduates will serve as Senior Residents (SRs). They will receive remuneration equivalent to the stipend currently paid to JRs and SRs, with additional increments for those in super-specialty courses. However, the move has met with widespread opposition from doctors, who view it as a violation of their rights and an unfair imposition.

Review of JR and SR position requirements

A committee chaired by the dean of Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC) will review the necessity for more JR and SR positions in GNCT hospitals. This committee will examine the current availability of positions and will propose the creation of additional posts if necessary.

Delhi One-Year Service Bond: Outrage on social media

Medical organizations and doctors took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their discontent regarding the Delhi service bond policy.

FORDA India, the Federation of Resident Doctors Association, expressed shock and dissatisfaction, posting:
"The herald of BOND SERVICE in Delhi? Unbelievable! At a time when this should be abolished pan India, Delhi imposing it is an open mockery of all the efforts to resist it nationwide."

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“Governments forget doctors have rights," Says AIIMS' doctor

Dr Datta, a doctor from AIIMS Delhi, voiced his frustration, stating:
"I think this is enough, now! Governments tend to forget that doctors have rights too! They suddenly remember about our rights once we come on the roads to protest! This cannot be normalised! I call upon the fraternity to resist cheap labour = slavery in the name of bonds!"

Concerns regarding job opportunities

Dr Shubham Anand criticized the bond, citing the surplus of Junior and Senior Residents in Delhi:
"Service Bond after MBBS and MD,MS in Delhi is the most illogical step. Dehi already has a huge surplus of Junior Residents & Senior Residents. Implementing 1 year bond will erase all job opportunities for others in Delhi #MedTwitter"

Call for revocation

Another strong reaction came from Dr Rohan Krishnan. Dr Rohan Krishnan strongly criticized the mandatory service bond, calling for its immediate revocation and accusing the government of forcing doctors into "enslavement."

Dr Krishnan tagged the Lt Governor of Delhi, tweeting:
"The @LtGovDelhi should immediately revoke this order. We oppose the forced labour and enslavement of doctors like this. Does IIT Delhi have a bond? Does DU colleges have a bond. Govt is now planning to take the best of doctors from top hospital and send them in PHC/sub optimal hospitals. Recently, screening committee pointed out deficiencies at many Delhi govt Hospitals. Instead of filling those deficiencies now this is happening."