In a decisive move to address the critical shortage of faculty in government medical colleges, the Punjab government has extended the re-employment age limit for retired medical teachers to 65 years. The decision comes as part of an urgent strategy to bridge gaps in key medical departments facing severe staff shortages.
According to an official notification issued by the Punjab Health Department, retired faculty members will now be hired on a contractual basis to temporarily fill vacancies in specialized disciplines, including cardiac surgery, pediatrics, pulmonology, oncology, cardiology, biochemistry, forensic medicine, and anesthesia.
The directive has been sent to all 36 public-sector medical colleges and their affiliated teaching hospitals across Punjab. These institutions have been asked to complete the recruitment process by June 30, with a special focus on appointing associate professors in 12 high-priority departments where faculty shortages are most critical.
“These appointments are purely temporary and will stand discontinued as soon as regular hiring is completed through the Public Service Commission or other standard recruitment channels,” the Health Department stated.
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The move underscores the government’s efforts to ensure continuity in medical education and patient care amid ongoing challenges in faculty availability. It also reflects the growing demand for experienced professionals in highly specialized medical fields, where hiring new permanent staff often faces delays due to bureaucratic and procedural constraints.