SHILLONG: Ten doctors who had signed bonds with the state government have resumed service in government-run hospitals to help the state amid the ongoing crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The development comes subsequent to a request by the state government.
However, two other doctors decided to pay the bond amount of Rs 10 lakh and Rs 25 lakh respectively.
Informing this, DHS (MI), Dr. Aman War, said the majority, who have resumed service, were those who had pursued their medical studies from the Khasi-Jaintia and Garo categories.
“A few who had pursued MBBS from other scheduled tribes and scheduled caste categories, have also reported back to work,” War said.
However, those who have got the MBBS seats from the open category have not responded to the notices issued by the state government.
“We are aware that most of them have completed their MBBS degrees. But we are not able to trace them since they are no longer staying in the address which they submitted when they went to pursue their medical studies,” War said.
He said the department would have to find out the details of their present address from the medical colleges they had passed from.
“If they are reluctant to return, then they would have to pay the bond money. Otherwise, we will have to take action according to the provisions in the bond agreement,” War said.
The department has sought to wait till August 31, following which a show-cause notice will be issued to them.
Asked if the Health department would file a complaint since they have not been found in their respective addresses, War said it would be the last option.
“We will issue strong show-cause notices to all of them and the copy of the same will be given to the superintendent of police. If they fail to deliver the show-cause notices then we will explore the option of filing an FIR,” he said.
