PESHAWAR: The young doctors, who have passed the FCPS part-1 examination and fulfil the criteria for induction as trainee medical officers to complete the mandatory training in teaching hospitals for taking the part-II examination in different specialties, have expressed concerns over lack of slots for training.

They have demanded of the provincial government to ensure induction of all the 1,355 doctors in dif ferent hospitalstosave theirfuture.

Addressing a news conference at Peshawar Press Club on Tuesday, the representatives of different unions of doctors said that at least 1,355 doctors had applied to Postgraduate Medical Institute in November 2019 but it notified only 423 (367 on merit and 56 on quota basis) for induction and ignored about 900 candidates.

Dr Muddasir Afridi said that the doctors had time and again contacted the PGMI officials but they did not resolve their issue rather advised them to approach the provincial government for the purpose.

Dr Baseerullah said that College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan and PGMI should develop understanding to resolve the issue timely. He said that government should induct the young doctors in both public and private sector hospitals, particularly those located in the peripheries including Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex, district headquarter hospitals of Swabi, Haripur, Malakand, Mansehra, Abbottabad, Bannu and Kohat to reduce burden on the main teaching hospitals in the cities.

He said that so far the doctors were peaceful and wanted the government to pay heed to their demands otherwise they would be left with only option to protest as in the prevailing uncertain conditions their future seemed bleak.

Dr Baseerullah said that the health minister had promised to resolve their issues but he did not take any practical step despite lapse of one month. He said that the interview process would start on January 2 so the government should take immediate steps for induction of doctors.

Dr Afzal said on the occasion that for 182 candidates of Bachelor of Dental Surgery there were only six seats. He said that government should allocate sufficient seats to accommodate all the qualified young doctors.