Cadre Merger Chaos: Doctors Fume Over Sukhu Govt’s ‘Ill-Conceived’ Move.

Shimla: The Sukhu government’s decision to merge medical cadres across all state medical colleges has triggered uproar among health experts, medical associations, and faculty members, who have called it a recipe for chaos.

The State Association of Medical and Dental College Teachers (SAMDCOT) has strongly opposed the move, warning that it will destabilize medical institutions, compromise patient care, and force doctors into bureaucratic battles at the Secretariat rather than hospitals.

The decision, taken without consulting stakeholders like the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and other medical bodies, has stirred deep resentment among faculty at premier institutions like Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), where doctors and researchers fear their work and career progressions will be derailed.

Major Concerns Raised by Medical Faculty and Experts:

1. Patient Care to Suffer

Doctors warn that the merger will disrupt faculty structures, leading to instability in hospitals and medical colleges.

With senior doctors shuffled around and administrative hurdles increasing, the focus on patient care is likely to take a backseat.

“Medical institutions exist primarily to serve patients, but this decision prioritizes bureaucracy over healthcare,” said a senior faculty member at IGMC.

2. Bureaucrats in Charge, Doctors in the Secretariat

One of the biggest fears is that the merger will put bureaucrats in control of crucial health decisions, forcing senior doctors to fighting  red tape instead of focusing on their core duties.

“If this policy is implemented, expect more doctors in the Secretariat corridors than in hospital wards,” remarked an outraged doctor, predicting an administrative nightmare where medical professionals will have to lobby for fair placements and promotions.

3. Seniority and Research at Risk

The merger will collapse faculty seniority structures, as recruitment norms have varied across medical colleges.

Many senior faculty members at IGMC have spent decades in their roles, turning down offers elsewhere. “What’s the incentive to stay loyal to an institution if tomorrow, a doctor from another college with fewer years in service is given the same seniority?” questioned a professor.

Additionally, ongoing research projects will be severely hit, as forced faculty transfers could disrupt critical studies.

“IGMC’s reputation isn’t just about patient care—it’s also about medical research, which will be derailed if senior faculty members are arbitrarily shuffled,” SAMDCOT pointed out.

4. Medical Education Under Threat

Doctors also warn that the merger will harm medical education, making prestigious institutions less attractive for NEET PG aspirants.

“IGMC has built a stellar reputation over decades. If the government dilutes faculty structures, it will deter top students from choosing Himachal’s medical colleges,” a senior doctor explained.

The government’s existing policies, including the three-year bond and ₹40 lakh PG bond, have already discouraged students from pursuing medical education in the state.

The cadre merger will only push more young doctors to move outside Himachal.

5. Poor Infrastructure in Peripheral Colleges

Another major issue is the lack of facilities in smaller medical colleges, which the government is trying to address through forced faculty transfers.

“You can’t improve education by randomly moving faculty. Many colleges don’t have the required equipment or postgraduate programs.

Forcing experienced faculty to work in under-equipped institutions will only dilute teaching quality and degrade standards further,” SAMDCOT argued.

6. Loss of Non-Practice Allowance, Further Exodus Feared

Adding to the chaos, doctors are also protesting the loss of Non-Practice Allowance (NPA) in rural postings.

“Why would any doctor choose to stay in government service when salaries are stagnant, NPA is removed, and job stability is being destroyed?” asked a medical faculty member, warning that this will accelerate the exodus of doctors to the private sector.

Government’s Silence Adding Fuel to the Fire

Despite the growing backlash, the Sukhu government has not engaged in discussions with medical bodies, sparking further resentment.

“This decision has been imposed without consulting the people it directly impacts.

The government must engage with us before making arbitrary changes that could cripple medical education and patient care in the state,” SAMDCOT asserted.

With mounting opposition, the government now faces a crucial test: Will it reconsider this policy, or will Himachal’s medical institutions descend into chaos as doctors are forced into administrative battles instead of saving lives?