Major victory for Indian medics in UK

Nov 10: This Diwali brings a real joy for Indian subcontinent origin doctors who are practicing in United Kingdom regarding right of equality. The London High Court upheld the appeal filed by British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, BAPIO as against British government directives of giving priority to British and European doctors over overseas doctors in recruiting in National Health Services, NHS.

The three-member bench of the court Lord Justice Sedley, Lord Justice Maurice Kay and Lord Justice Rimer has supported the appeal of Indian origin doctors for getting equal rights to British and European union doctors in terms of getting equal opportunity in recruitment on the basis of merit.

There are more than 16,000 overseas doctors, out of which approximately 10,000 doctors are Indians, who are either practicing or studying further under High-Skilled Migrant Programme (HSMP) scheme, but despite of competing the course they are not offered the Post Graduate degree. This makes them frustrated and before them, there is no way to either leave the country or work without getting Post Graduate degree. According to government directives, overseas doctors can get recruitment only, if any seat becomes vacant after fulfilling the seats by British and EU doctors, despite of having high ranking in the merit list.

So on the advice of Department of Health to the NHS employers, BAPIO challenged this unlawful directive by filling an appeal before London High court and gained a legal victory on their petition by getting support of High Court in their favour.

''This is a great ruling. We are absolutely delighted, and feel enthusiastic,'' said Dr Sheethal Mathew of BAPIO.

''Our doctors from India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka will now be able to compete with European doctors on an equal footing. Employers cannot discriminate against us now. Already about 5,000 doctors had left the country because they knew they had no choice,'' added Mathew.

The MBE corporate advisor to the BAPIO, Buddhdev Pandya said, “Earlier the High Court had also ruled that the department did not carry out a race impact assessment and I believe that these historical judgements are both significant and will have significant impact on the careers of thousands of international medical graduates.”

The British government had introduced the HSMP scheme in 2002. According to it, High skilled professionals include accountants, doctors and scientists can settle and work in Britain that can be very beneficial for country. As much as 49,000 people caught the offer. The next round of hiring is expected in January-February next year for rights of state-sector National Health Services.