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JAIPUR, April 6, 2025 – Rajasthan’s healthcare system faces potential disruption after approximately 600 doctors employed on an Urgent Temporary Basis (UTB) were abruptly relieved of their duties following the expiration of their contracts on March 31, 2025. The state health department reportedly did not issue contract extensions or provide prior notification, leaving hundreds of medical professionals jobless and sparking fears of a healthcare crisis, particularly in rural areas.
These doctors were integral to staffing Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs), often in remote locations underserved by permanent staff. Many had been working continuously for months, even years, under successive short-term UTB contracts. The UTB system is an administrative measure used by the Rajasthan Health Department to fill vacancies quickly during emergencies like COVID-19, address routine staff shortages, or bridge gaps caused by delays in permanent recruitment processes. These contracts typically run for three to six months and do not guarantee long-term employment.
Dr. Deepak Joshi, who had been working under a UTB contract since September 2023, explained that previous extensions had been granted, taking their tenure up to March 31, 2025. “They did not increase the tenure after March 31. That terminated our services,” Dr. Joshi told EdexLive, calling the move unprecedented for UTB doctors in the state’s medical department history.
The lack of communication has added to the doctors’ distress. “When they ended the tenure, there was no circular or letter informing us in advance,” Dr. Joshi shared. He noted that typically, extension orders were received even on the day of expiry, but this time, there was silence. Compounding the confusion, other UTB staff categories like pharmacists and nursing officers reportedly received contract extensions, leaving doctors wondering why they were excluded.
This sudden unemployment comes at a time when the recruitment process for permanent medical officer positions has faced repeated postponements since 2023. This leaves the affected doctors in a precarious situation. “We’re not able to secure our jobs as UTB doctors, and at the same time, we’re not able to study properly for the permanent medical officer exam,” Dr. Joshi lamented, highlighting the lack of consistency in government recruitment despite promises.
The wider medical community has sounded the alarm about the potential fallout. The Doctors Welfare Federation (DWF) formally appealed to the state government, urging the continuation of UTB doctor services to prevent a collapse in rural healthcare delivery. In a letter to the Director of the Medical and Health Department, the DWF stated, “Due to shortage of doctors, many PHCs and CHCs are functioning without doctors. The burden has to be borne by the general public.”
The DWF also pointed out that the situation is exacerbated by regular doctors leaving their posts to pursue postgraduate studies following NEET PG counselling, further straining the public health system. As of now, reports suggest the health department has not announced any alternative staffing strategy to fill the void left by the terminated UTB doctors.
Disclaimer: This news article is based on information provided from specific sources detailing the situation as of early April 2025. Further developments or official statements from the Rajasthan Health Department may provide additional context or updates.(https://www.edexlive.com/news/2025/Apr/05/about-600-ubt-doctors-terminated-in-rajasthan-without-notice-medicos-warn-of-healthcare-crisis)
