West Bengal WhatsApp Location Controversy: Hospital Medical Superintendent transferred

Kolkata: Days after the Baruipur Sub-Divisional Hospital in West Bengal faced severe backlash from the doctors as the hospital had passed an order asking them to share their current WhatsApp Location at the time of joining duty, the Medical Superintendent of Baruipur Sub-divisional Hospital has been reportedly transferred to Rampurhat Medical College and Hospital as a Deputy Superintendent. 

The Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported about the controversy as the state health department intervened after facing a huge backlash from the doctors causing the hospital to revoke the order, which it had issued on March 14. 

Also Read:Bengal hospital asks doctors to share live location to verify attendance, faces flak

As per a media report in the Millennium Post, various incidents have been reported in the recent past where the family members of several patients had accused Baruipur Sub-divisional hospital of delaying the treatment. However, the health department sources said that there is no shortage of doctors in the hospital. 

As per the Medical Dialogues report, the West Bengal Doctors Forum had pointed out that there are several administrative and scientific ways to ensure timely availability and pressure of staffs, reminding that, "At the same time, it is also the responsibility of the employer to ensure the adequate and appropriate number of manpower and other necessities in order to facilitate that services can be delivered without fright and fear."

Meanwhile, in a similar move, the Krishnanagar Hospital Superintendent was also transferred to Bankura as leprosy officer, reports the Millennium Post. The health department sources claimed that these were routine transfers, adding that some other health officials have also been transferred. However, the Millennium Post mentions that the hospital had earlier transferred a woman who had injuries on both her legs and had eventually passed away. 

The state health department has a stringent policy on the transfer of patients, no government hospital can transfer a patient unless it is a genuine need. The state health department would be preparing a roster making it mandatory for all government doctors to devote at least 40 hours a week in their workplaces.

The move is reportedly aimed at streamlining health services in government hospitals and also fixing the accountability of doctors on government service.