Srinagar, June 08 (KNS): Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today expressed anguish over political interference in transfers and postings of doctors which is responsible for healthcare mess.
Describing it as the biggest issue plaguing the health sector President DAK Dr Nisar ul Hassan said political meddling has ruined the health department which is in complete shambles.
This was admitted on Monday by Health Minister of JK state on the floor of the Assembly who said political interference has destroyed the health department.
You have to approach MLA or a Minister especially from the ruling party to get transfer or posting.
Approach is the only way for a doctor to get transferred and those who do not have it, their applications will not be considered.
It is only on the recommendation of a politician or a bureaucrat that a doctor gets relocated.
Influential get prize postings and those who do not have political connections are handed out punishment postings.
Blue-eyed doctors remain posted on their places of choice for decades and voiceless suffer.
On one hand, politicians cry from roof tops on non-availability of doctors in far flung areas, on the other hand on their directions, doctors are posted in and around city.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Many specialist doctors of health department have been posted on the instructions of politicians in medical colleges and their associated hospitals thus depriving people in far flung areas of specialists care.
Doctors instead of focusing on patient care seek favor from politicians to secure their places of postings.
And once it is done, they end up obeying them and remain at their beck and call.
As a result of this, peripheral hospitals have become mere referral stations where people even with minor ailments are referred to tertiary care hospitals.
Politicians are sabotaging implementation of transfer policy so that they can post their kith and kin on places of their choice.
As per the policy, a doctor can be posted at a place from two to three years, but there are doctors who are constantly posted at one place for more than fifteen years.
The only way to end the menace of political favoritism in transfer of doctors is to ensure implementation of transfer policy in letter and spirit. (KNS)