Punjab specialist doctors still on deputation, Health dept fails to implement order

Patiala: The Punjab government has failed to successfully oversee the implementation of an order passed by its health department last year directing the cancellation of all unnecessary deputations of specialist doctors.  

Last year, the Punjab Health Department passed orders canceling the deputation orders of medical officers in various regions directing the doctors to remain at their original place of posting in order to prevent unequal healthcare accessibility. 

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In May 2022, the then Principal Secretary of the Health Department directed the cancellation of the deputation postings of medical officers (general and specialist). However, a number of senior specialists are still in deputation postings in Chandigarh, including senior MD doctors posted as professors, associate professors and assistant professors at government colleges.

The continued deputation postings, which are in violation of the state government's orders, have resulted in a number of patients being turned away due to the absence of doctors in their original places of posting, reports the Tribune India. 

For instance, a medical officer originally posted at the Kayachikitsa at Government Ayurvedic College in Patiala only visits the place twice a week to render services at the OPD, as he has been deputed as a nodal office of the Directorate of Medical and Research Education. 

In another instance, a doctor from the Ayurvedic College said that the patients visiting there have been complaining of absent doctors from duties. Dr Pradeep Kapil, Principal at the Ayurvedic College at Patiala and Dr Harjinder Singh, former Director Principal at Government Medical College, Patiala, hacontinueve written to the DMRE to reinstate the specialist doctors to their original place of postings. 

The then Punjab health secretary Ajoy Sharma had expressed disappointment over doctors choosing to work at their preferred locations rather than their actual posting. The practice reportedly resulted in extending favors to certain doctors. 

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