The Punjab government is planning to appoint retired doctors and medical professionals from the private sector as professors and associate professors on a contract basis. The proposed appointments aim to fill dozens of vacant teaching positions in medical colleges and departments across the province.
According to available details, doctors up to 65 years of age will be eligible to apply for these positions. Applications have reportedly been invited until November 5, 2026.
The plan focuses on 12 basic and clinical science departments that are facing serious faculty shortages. The move is intended to ensure that medical students and junior doctors receive proper guidance and supervision from experienced professionals.
12 Medical Departments Included
The proposed appointments will cover vacancies in the following medical specialties:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Anaesthesia
- Pulmonology
- Oncology
- Radiology
- Biochemistry
- Forensic Medicine
- Psychiatry
- Paediatric Surgery
- Paediatric Cardiac Surgery
- Paediatric Cardiology
These departments have reportedly been facing faculty shortages, with several teaching positions remaining vacant for months.
The recruitment of experienced doctors could help medical institutions manage their teaching responsibilities and improve supervision for junior doctors.
Contract Period and Age Limit
The maximum contract period for these appointments will be three years. However, the contract may end earlier under certain conditions.
According to the proposed arrangement, appointments will remain valid until the first of the following conditions is met:
- Completion of the three-year contract period.
- The doctor reaches the age of 65.
- A regular candidate is appointed through promotion.
- A regular candidate is selected through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC).
Doctors interested in applying should confirm the complete eligibility criteria, required documents and application procedure through the relevant official advertisement.
Why the Government Is Considering This Move
Senior doctors believe the plan could help address the shortage of experienced faculty members in medical institutions.
They say several senior teaching positions have remained vacant for months. As a result, junior doctors have had to work without proper supervision from experienced professors and associate professors.
Bringing retired doctors and private-sector medical professionals into government institutions could help fill this gap. It may also allow experienced specialists to continue contributing to medical education after retirement.
Permanent Doctors Raise Concerns
However, the proposed policy has also raised concerns among some medical professionals.
Sources have warned that appointing professors and associate professors on a contract basis could weaken the permanent structure of medical education. They believe the policy may also affect the promotion opportunities of doctors already working in government institutions.
Some permanent doctors fear that contract appointments could limit their chances of reaching senior academic positions.
There are also concerns that the policy could increase administrative control over medical education and make senior appointments dependent on the preferences of government officials.
The Punjab government has not yet publicly explained the full reasons behind the proposed policy or responded to these concerns.
The plan is expected to remain a topic of discussion among medical professionals, particularly because it involves senior academic positions and the future promotion structure in government medical institutions.
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