West Bengal: Paediatrician Dr Kaustav Nayek takes charge as new DME

Kolkata: In a significant appointment, the West Bengal Department of Health and Family Welfare has recently appointed paediatrician and principal of state-run Burdwan Medical College Hospital, Dr Kaustav Nayek as the new Director of Medical Education (DME).

Dr Nayak has been appointed as the new DME, with immediate effect, to oversee the crucial task of developing medical and para-medical personnel to meet the healthcare requirements of the State.

An order issued by the state health department on Friday mentioned, "The Governor is pleased to appoint Prof. (Dr.) Kaustav Nayek of the West Bengal Medical Education Service, now employed as Principal, Burdwan Medical College, Burdwan as Director of Medical Education, Government of West Bengal, with immediate effect and until further orders."

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He was selected for the post in an interview held at Swasthya Bhaban, health department headquarters at Salt Lake, on Tuesday for the final selection of a candidate for the portfolio of the DME.  

Previously, Prof (Dr) Debashis Bhattacharya held the position of the new DME for several months. However, following his retirement, the government designated Dr A Neogy, a retired senior official from the health department, as the acting DME. This time, the department has given Dr Nayak the charge as the current DME. 

Meanwhile, several government doctors associated with the West Bengal Democratic Doctors Forum have voiced their disapproval and objection to his appointment. They argue that the health department has ignored the qualifications of other deserving candidates during the interview process to appoint Prof Nayek as the DME.

According to a TOI news report, Paschim Banga Ganatantrik Chikitsa Mancha put up posters at Swasthya Bhawan, saying Nayek was the least experienced in administrative work. They urged the CM and the health secretary to look into the matter.

Speaking to The Daily, Durgaprasad Chakraborty and Sajal Biswas of Service Doctor Forum said, “The appointment was carried out by bypassing other applicants, who have more experience in administrative service. The irregularity in DME appointment, a post important for medical education in the state, is not acceptable."

As per The Statesman report, a section of senior officials in the state medical education service (MES) felt that the state government wanted to improve paediatric healthcare by bringing down infant mortality rates across districts and the city.

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