Kerala: Inter-Dept Transfer of Doctors in Medical Education Service faces backlash

On the basis of the directive by the Kerala Administrative Tribunal (KAT), 18 doctors were granted transfer between the departments in several medical colleges via an order dated July 1. The doctors who were granted transfer to other departments were associated with departments like anatomy, microbiology, neurology, general medicine, biochemistry, neurosurgery, anesthesia, pathology, and general surgery.

The scenario is such that at first, an MBBS doctor joins a medical college in the post of assistant professor (lecturer) in any of the specialties. However, later, when the doctor secures post-graduation (PG) in any other department, they are granted such inter-departmental transfers.

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As per the latest media report by the Times of India, doctors criticizing such transfer orders have claimed that there were instances where doctors joined in different specialties due to non-availability of vacancies in their disciplines. Later, they get transfer to their respective discipline depriving the deserved candidates awaiting in the PSC list.

While commenting on the situation, Dr. Ajith Prasad of the Kerala Postgraduate Medical College Teachers' Association told the daily, "These people are in fact losing the opportunity of the people who are waiting in the PSC list. Many departments have lost their posts due to such transfers. It is illegal and irrational doing inter-department transfers."

"These doctors seek for inter-department transfer later, which denies the opportunity of a deserved person in the PSC list. At times, even the reservation seats are filled through such appointments,'' added a leader of the Kerala government medical college teachers' association (KGMCTA).

As per the daily, the protesting doctors have opined, that the issue can be only resolved if, for the entry cadre, a post-graduation degree in a specialty becomes essential.