Punjab mulls extra hours, additional remuneration for regular specialists

Dr Balbir Singh said that, in principle, the government had agreed to incentivise doctors during the last meeting, and PCSMA was asked to submit a proposal for subsequent approval.

PCSMA president Dr Akhil Sarin welcomed the initiative as a long-pending demand and said the association was in discussions with the health minister regarding incentives linked to Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana and similar schemes.

The health department requested PCSMA to formally submit a proposal outlining how incentives for regular specialists could be structured, including ties to Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana and related schemes.

Officials indicated that earlier compensation included rural and conveyance allowances, many of which are no longer available in the same form for regular specialists.

Senior medical officials claimed some empanelled specialists shirk medico-legal responsibilities and follow irregular schedules, failing to respond to emergencies and requiring referrals to centres with regular specialists.

The health minister defended the engagement of private specialists, saying they were hired in areas where regular specialists were unavailable or unwilling to join duty and that empanelled doctors respond to emergency calls in underserved areas.

The Punjab Civil Services Medical Association submitted a memorandum to the health department alleging that some privately empanelled specialists earn over ₹5 lakh per month, two to three times the entry-level pay of regular government specialists.

The Punjab government is exploring a framework to financially incentivise regular government medical specialists for work beyond official duty hours, including surgeries and patient care after routine hours. Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh confirmed plans to pay extra for additional work.