Many doctors, paramedical staff ‘not working at designated posting places’

Srinagar, Nov 6: Many doctors and paramedical staff in Kashmir are not working at their designated places of posting.

This is leading to a shortage of healthcare professionals and potentially compromising patient care. This information was revealed in a response to a Right to Information Act (RTI) query filed by social activist M M Shujah.

A response to a Right to Information Act (RTI) query has revealed that in Block Medical Office Nagam, Block Medical Office Beerwah, Block Medical Office Chadoora and with Chief Medical officer Budgam many doctors and paramedical staff is not working at their present place of posting, thus affecting the patient care.

As per the data, at Block Medical office Magam, many doctors including Consultant Medicine, Medical Officers, Consultant Gynaecology, Senior and Junior Assistants are posted somewhere else.

Similarly, at Block Medical Office, Beerwah, more than five doctors and para medical staff are not working at the original place of posting.

According to the RTI response, several "Nodal Officers" and medical personnel were found to be operating away from their original place of posting. Notably, the nature of their assignments and the reasons for their reassignments remain unclear.

This situation has led to a shortage of healthcare professionals at their designated locations, potentially compromising patient care.

As per the RTI, Consultant Physician-DM Neurology, has been repatriated to his original place of posting. This comes after strong protests from the people of Nagam, who were demanding the return of their doctor.

He was initially posted at District Hospital, Budgam, in May 2021. However, he was detached from his original place of posting and redeployed at District Hospital, Budgam, in August 2021. This led to protests from the people of Nagam, who were already facing a shortage of doctors.

In a recent review meeting, the District Development Commissioner of Budgam directed the authorities to repatriate the doctor to his original place of posting. The CMO of Budgam has now issued an order repatriating him to Nagam with immediate effect.

In a separate development, Junior Assistant posted at Block Nagam against a clear vacancy. However, as per the directions of the Director Health Services, Kashmir, he will continue to work at the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, till further orders.

Meanwhile, the health and medical education department has warned of disciplinary action against the employees who after getting detached are reluctant to join their original place of posting.

“All such employees have been asked to join at their native places within three days. The employees have been warned of disciplinary action if they do not follow these instructions,” reads an official order.

A few days back, the Health and Medical Education Department had directed the director of health services Kashmir and Jammu, and director Family Welfare, MCH and Immunization to detach all staff attached by heads at their own level.

H&ME also asked the directors to implement transfer and posting orders issued by the administrative department from time to time.

It also directed them to furnish a list of employees who have not complied with orders by November 1 for initiating disciplinary proceedings against them.