In a move aimed at keeping Indian doctors within the country, the government has decided any doctor who wants to go to the United States for higher medical studies must submit a duly attested surety bond of `5 lakhs before leaving, and honour it by returning to India after completing studies.
Each student will also have to give two sureties — one from a close relative who is a citizen of India and based here, furnishing information abo-ut himself/herself; and the second surety by a gazetted officer posted in India under the Centre or a state government who should have seven years of service left. The `5-lakh surety bond, with interest at 12 per cent per annum from the date of demand, will be invoked if a candidate does not return to India within three months of completion of training. The guidelines require the surety bond and sureties to be attested by a notary public or area subdivisi-onal magistrate. “The sur-ety bond will be executed by applicants on `100 non-judicial stamp paper,” the document reads.
The US government requires an “exceptional need certificate” or ”statement of need” certificate from the health ministry for students enrolling in specialised medical courses in America.