The Nagaland Medical Students Association (NMSA) has strongly opposed the notification issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on 20th August 2024 inviting 98 doctors for ‘Special Recruitment Drive’ for the posts of Class 1 Gazetted Medical Officers. NMSA has informed that the notification mandates the conduct of a departmental examination on 26th August 2024 for Written and viva voce on 27th and 28th August for the regularization of doctors who were appointed on a contractual basis during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Demanding for an equal, free and fair, competitive, and transparent process of recruitment, the Association has said that the “notification disregards the efforts and aspirations of countless medical graduates who have diligently prepared for competitive exams”.
It stated that the posts of Class 1 Gazetted Officers should rightly fall under the jurisdiction of the Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) Combined Technical Services Examination (CTSE) and added that “the proposed departmental examination disregards the principles of meritocracy and equal opportunity, which are fundamental to fair public service recruitment”.
Highlighting that many Naga medical graduates served across the country during the pandemic “without seeking or receiving special considerations”, the Association said that “it is inequitable to conduct a special departmental recruitment process that benefits a select few at the expense of the broader medical fraternity.”
The Nagaland government’s decision, which effectively restricts examination opportunities to only the 98 contractual doctors appointed during the pandemic, is an alarming departure from established norms and poses a significant threat to the careers of countless deserving medical professionals, NMSA added.
Further, NMSA pointed out that between 2010 and 2021, the NPSC had conducted examinations for only 87 Medical Officer posts that were subsequently regularized. “The decision to now regularize 98 posts through a departmental examination is a deeply concerning departure from this established process”, it said.
In light of these developments, the NMSA has strongly urged the State government maintain the status quo and withhold the scheduled departmental examination on 26th August 2024 and instead fill the posts through the NPSC-CTSE, ensuring an equal opportunity for all eligible candidates.
The Nagaland Medical Students Association has also appealed for support from the broader public, student bodies, civil society organizations, and community leaders while emphasising that it is only through an equal and transparent process that the selection of the most qualified candidates to serve the community and deliver high-quality healthcare can be ensured.
