Doctors educated at the expense of the poor cannot shy away from serving them: Madras High Court

Link copied successfully!

High Court was hearing a writ petitions filed by doctors to waive service bond period.
- Service bond is an agreement between medical students and government which requires doctors to work in a specific area or public healthcare facilities for a specified period.

Need of Service bonds
- Uneven distribution of healthcare workforce: It can ensure social justice and health equity in underserved areas.
- Reciprocity: These are a way to ensure that taxpayers' money is utilized effectively by requiring the healthcare professionals to serve in the public healthcare system.

Ethical and other issues with compulsory service bond
- Infringement of fundamental rights under Article 19(1)(g) [Right to practice any profession or to carry on any occupation, trade or business].
- Quality of care: Forced obligations could impact motivation, job satisfaction, and overall performance, potentially compromising the quality of care.
- Brain drain: Stringent bonds may discourage talented individuals from pursuing careers in healthcare, exacerbating the existing shortage of healthcare professionals.
- Discrimination and inequality: It may disproportionately affect healthcare professionals from underprivileged backgrounds or those who cannot afford to pay the penalty for non-compliance.

Voluntary participation: Voluntary opt-in system could be implemented where healthcare professionals willingly choose to serve in underserved areas in exchange for incentives such as education subsidies.
Adequate compensation and incentives: Service bonds can be accompanied by attractive compensation packages, including competitive salaries, housing allowances.
Targeted recruitment and training: Initiatives could be taken to recruit and train healthcare professionals from underserved areas.
Flexible models: Such as shorter service periods, rotational assignments, combination of urban and rural postings, etc.