Punjab: Medical Superintendent writes to BFUHS, seeks better facilities for patients amidst VC resignation row

Ludhiana: Days after the vice-chancellor of Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot resigned after the health minister forced him to lie down on a dirty mattress, the medical superintendent Dr Shilekh Mittal has written a letter to Baba Farid University and Health Sciences (BFUHS) on August 1 urging them to acquire better facilities for patients, including the purchase of beds and mattresses. 

A video clip of the incident showed the AAP minister forcing the vice-chancellor to lie on a mattress, reported to be in a poor condition, in front of staff and patients at a hospital during an inspection, as the minister was seen blaming the chancellor for the poor conditions of the hospital facilities. 

Also Read:AAP Govt defends Punjab minister action of humiliating BFUHS Vice Chancellor

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported the incident where Dr Raj Bahadur a specialist in spinal surgery and joint replacement, a former director-principal of Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh and has also been the head of the orthopaedic department at PGIMER, Chandigarh had tendered his resignation and requested the Punjab Chief Minister to relieve him from services stating that this kind of hostile environment is not productive for his work.

Three other doctors, attached to the university, also submitted their resignations asking to be relieved of administrative duties, citing personal reasons. However, their application had coincided with the vice-chancellor's resignation letter. The medical fraternity had also expressed their anger over the incident and showed their support to the vice-chancellor. The Indian Medical Association questioned the poor treatment given to a person of the stature of the V-C of a medical university. 

As per sources, many other subordinate staff are not reporting to duty at BFUHS and some have resigned since the V-C resigned, reports the Indian Express. And decisions for purchasing new materials required for the hospital remain pending, as the V-C is the final approving authority for all purchases. 

The Punjab government, which partially funds the university hasn't sent any new mattresses as well. Meanwhile, the AAP spokesperson Malwinder Singh Kang had claimed that the government is committed to providing health facilities. However, the mattress on which the VC was made to lie down has not been replaced as well. 

Dr SP Singh, controller of examinations at BFUHS said that another daily functioning of the university is going smoothly. Meanwhile, it has been reported that the CM has not yet forwarded the resignation letter of the V-C to the Governor, and has requested the V-C to rethink his decision. The resignation can only be finalized once the CM forwards the letter to the Governor and the latter approves it. 

Meanwhile, another video related to the incident has reportedly gone viral on social media where the health minister could be seen outside the premises of Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital pointing toward some green belts and questioning the V-C on what kind of messages they were giving the masses. "Message should be that this is the best university," he was seen saying in anger. 

Also Read:BFUHS Vice Chancellor faces humiliation during Punjab Health Minister visit, IMA sees red demands unconditional apology