Punjab Government to launch 'Earn While You Learn' program to meet shortage of doctors in hospitals- Dr. Balbir Singh

Ludhiana, March 18, 2023: To meet the shortage of doctors in the government hospitals of the state, Punjab Health, and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh on Saturday said that the government would soon commence a new program 'Earn While You Learn' in which MBBS pass-out students to be deputed in the health institutions and receive attractive salaries while practicing in the hospital. 

Acknowledging the shortage of doctors in the government hospitals, Health Minister said that under the program, these MBBS pass-out students will receive a salary worth Rs 70000 besides facilities of accommodation and others to be provided by the government. He said that this program was a revolutionary concept to ramp up secondary healthcare in Punjab and would be implemented soon. He said that MBBS pass-out children would get on-job training including practical and theoretical from our teachers of medical colleges through online mode. He also said that the pay of super-specialists was also being revised so that more and more doctors can join the government services. 

Further to cope with the shortage of gynecologists and other specialists, Singh said that the government was contemplating bringing out a policy to hire local private highly qualified doctors for surgery-based procedures. He said that the Punjab government would also soon start a district residency program to give quality treatment with the support of doctors from medical colleges and doctors from private hospitals.

Ensuring the availability of doctors, medicines, and testing facilities in every government hospital is topmost priority, Health and Family Welfare Minister said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was committed spruce up the health infrastructure in the state of which budget had also been increased significantly recently. He said that for boosting primary health sector, Aam Aadmi Clinics were started with a view to providing world-class health services to the people at their doorsteps. He said that with the successful operationalization of 504 Aam Aadmi clinics, 142 more clinics are to be opened soon. He said that the wellness centers were already functioning and with Aam Aadmi clinics, the people had been getting quality healthcare services where 80 different medicines and 41 tests were being carried out free of cost. 

Health Minister said that in Ludhiana, 30 new Aam Aadmi Clinics and 110 CM Ki Yogshals would be opened in Ludhiana in days to come. 

Earlier on his arrival in the circuit house, the Minister was accorded a guard of honour and welcomed by Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik and others.  

Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included MLAs Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Madan Lal Bagga, Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Jiwan Singh Sangowal, Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Hardeep Singh Mundian, Ashok Prashar Pappi, Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Markfed Chairman Amandeep Singh Mohi, Genco chairman Navjot Singh Jarg, District President Harbhupinder Singh Dharaur, District Planning Board chairman Sharnpal Singh Makkar, Punjab State Cooperative Agricultural Development Bank  Chairman Suresh Goyal, ADC (Development) Amit Kumar Panchal, Civil Surgeon Dr Hitinder Kaur and others from the health department. 

Meanwhile, the Minister also reviewed the different programs and schemes including Ayushman Bharat Mukh Mantri Sehat Bima Yojana, De-addiction centers, the functioning of Aam Aadmi Clinics, and others.