Thrissur: The young doctors in the state are in jeopardy as many of them are compelled to jump quarantine if they want to attend the Assistant Surgeon PSC exam scheduled on September 12. The exam was postponed earlier due to Covid pandemic.
PSC has not provided with the option to change exam centres. The 11,000 applicants for the exam include many with Covid duties.
These health workers in the forefront of Covid duties, travelling between the districts to attend the exam, is considered dangerous. Also, the quarantine period allotted to them as rest days between the duties will be violated.
At the same time, if the exam is not attended, the chance to enter government service will be lost.
Also, many who are studying for PG courses in other states have to travel back to Kerala to attend the exam. Even then they will have to choose between exam and quarantine.
If PSC exam is not attended and a convincing explanation is not provided, candidates may also face ban from PSC.
A young doctor, who wish to remain anonymous said, “I had applied for the exam while in Kannur. But now, I am working in Thrissur on Covid duty . Travelling to Kannur and attending the exam is dangerous. But also, the chance can’t be missed. There is no option but to violate quarantine”.
Meanwhile, Indian Medical Association state secretary Dr P Gopikumar said that such issues had not come to the attention of the association. Those on Covid duty, should take prior permission to travel. Any issues, if raised with IMA, will be solved, he added.
