Taking into consideration an acute shortage of doctors, the State Government on Friday revised the service bond policy for medical students from next academic session.
Health Minister Naba Kishore Das informed this while speaking to reporters here.
As per the new policy, students pursuing PG courses or super specialisation medical courses after completing MBBS in the Government-run colleges are bound to serve under the Government for two years, the Minister said.
“Candidates reluctant to stay in Odisha for the predetermined period will have to pay compensation against the bond. PG students have to pay Rs 1.5 crore and those pursuing super specialisation courses will deposit Rs 2 crore,” Das said.
Earlier, the bond amount was Rs 36 lakh for both PG and super specialisation students.
The Minister further said, “This move will help serve the interest of the people of the State. It is observed that students move to other States for higher studies after completing MBBS from our Government medical colleges. But with the introduction of this new bond policy, students will stay and serve the people of the State.”
Earlier this year, the State Government had increased the retirement age of contractual doctors from 68 years to 70 years.