Armed Forces Medical Service – Measure to control High Attrition level

High Attrition Level of Fresh Recruits in AFMS

        The number of Cadets of Armed Forces Medical College, Pune opting out of service before their commissioning in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) was 4 out of 125 (i.e. 3.2%) in 2007. This number increased to 33 out of 129 (25.6%) in 2010. However, the attrition is showing a declining trend and has reduced to 26 out of 129 (20.1%) in 2011 and 19 out of 123 (15.4%) in 2012.

The number of specialists and super specialists in AFMS who left service prematurely during the period 2006-2010 was 272. Out of total strength of 2217 the number of specialists/ super specialists who left service was 49 in 2006, 58 in 2007, 47 in 2008, 52 in 2009 and 66 in 2010. However, from 2010 onwards, the attrition is showing a declining trend and has reduced to 40 in 2011 and 38 in 2012.

            The status of staff position in hospitals under AFMS is indicated below:-

Out of 272 specialists officers who were allowed to leave service prematurely during the period 2006-2010, 79% left due to supersession in promotion and low medical category and 21% left due to extreme compassionate grounds.

To discourage commissioned doctors from leaving, several measures have been taken by the Government. Additional marks are awarded to specialist doctors for professional qualifications while considering them for promotions by the concerned Promotion Boards. Specialists trained in Armed Forces Medical Services undertake to serve for a period of 10 years after post graduation. Opportunities are provided to specialist officers to train further in super specialties / allied specialties which act as an incentive for them to continue to serve with the organization. For retaining trained doctors, opportunities for doing Post Graduation are also provided to them. Option of raising the amount of the bond required to be executed at the time of taking admission for MBBS course as also for doing other courses is also available with the Government for this purpose.

            This information was given by Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Dr. Gyan Prakash Pilania in Rajya Sabha.