Punjab Moves to Contract-Based Hiring for Medical Colleges and Teaching Hospitals

The Punjab government has approved a new procedure for filling vacancies in public medical colleges and teaching hospitals on a contract basis rather than through permanent appointments, according to a notification issued by the Specialized Healthcare Department.

Under the approved policy, vacant posts will initially be filled on three-year contracts. The arrangement covers Grade 18 positions of Senior Registrar and Assistant Professor, Grade 19 Associate Professor roles, and Grade 20 Professor vacancies.

Officials stated that the contract appointments will be institution-specific and will be subject to the prescribed quota for initial recruitments. The initial contract term will run for three years, with the possibility of extension contingent on satisfactory performance.

The government said the new procedure is intended to address the shortage of specialist doctors and to ensure continuity in medical education. The Specialized Healthcare Department has circulated the notification to medical universities, medical colleges and teaching hospitals across the province.

The shift toward contract-based hiring marks a change in how teaching hospitals and medical colleges staff key academic and clinical positions, with performance-linked extensions now built into the appointment process.