LAHORE: The College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan (CPSP) has decided to terminate the residency programme registration of the protesting postgraduate trainees of state-run medical institutions of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The CPSP has sent a written warning to the trainees of both provinces, stating that if they did not resume their duties at teaching hospitals forthwith, they would be dropped from the National Residency Programme.

Medical experts were of the views that if the CPSP implemented its decision, it would inflict a major dent to the career of the postgraduate trainees.

Moreover, the Punjab government also tightened its noose around the teaching faculty of public sector medical institutions for being unable to bring back the striking doctors to their units. It has also sought lists from the heads of departments (HoDs) of all teaching hospitals of Punjab of those postgraduate trainees, who were taking part in the protests instead of attending training sessions.

Govt seeks lists of all postgraduate trainees in Punjab participating in strike

The authorities took these steps in view of the reports that one of the reasons behind the ongoing strike of government employees at state-run medical teaching institutions was the participation of the postgraduate trainees – considered the backbone of the healthcare system.

Secondly, the Punjab government was informed that most of the senior medical teachers were playing a “double role” in the wake of the strike, an official privy to the information told Dawn. On one hand they were indirectly backing the strike and on the other showing support to the government, he said.

He added that the CPSP, being the only medical regulatory body, could play its role to neutralise the strike in both the provinces. The official claimed that after failing to control the striking medics, the governments of Punjab and KP have sought support from the CPSP.

The official said Punjab’s health authorities had sent strong signals to the CPSP that they could opt for amendments to the CPSP rules to cut its wings if it failed to bring the striking medics back to hospitals for the purpose they were enrolled for.

Consequently, the CPSP issued a warning to the trainees of action for being absent from their respective departments, he added.

“It has been reported by the health departments of Punjab and KP that the CPSP trainees are absent from their training/duty without any leave for more than a month,” reads the warning letter issued by CPSP Secretary Prof Irshad Waheed on Monday.

Any leave without permission of supervisors was considered a break in residency, it declared. “The break in residency shall be considered as drop-out from the programme and you are advised to immediately resume your training and send reports signed by your supervisor/head of the department.”

The college further warned that as a result of dropping out from the programme, the trainees would lose all their previous experience.

About the Punjab government’s initiative, the official said that it has sought reports by Nov 7 of absent trainees from HoDs of all the departments of public sector hospitals of the province.

The government has also warned the teaching faculty of strict departmental action for ‘misreporting’ in the lists.

“The competent authority has directed that the circular issued by the secretary CPSP be sent to all the HoDs and supervisors with clear instructions to furnish reports regarding the PGs, who have remained absent without permission, involved in disruption of health services and instigating other doctors/paramedics, nurses to stop provision of healthcare services to the patients,” reads the letter issued by the specialised healthcare and medical education department on Monday.

The letter was addressed to the vice chancellors of all public sector medical universities of Punjab, principals of medical and dental colleges, medical superintendents of teaching hospitals and heads of all the specialised health institutions.

“Any misreporting in this regard shall be taken very seriously and the concerned HoD personally held responsible,” it reads.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2019