30 Haryana Medical Officers deputed to Chandigarh

Chandigarh: Days after the Chandigarh administration conducted interviews of 44 doctors from Haryana to fill the vacant posts of medical officers and dental officers, the UT administration appointed 30 doctors out of the 44 interviewed doctors on deputation period in Chandigarh.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that the administration has conducted interviews of 44 doctors from Haryana to fill the vacant posts of medical officers and dental surgeons to meet the staff shortage.

The panel of 44 doctors who appeared for interviews has been sent by the Haryana government in May. On July 13, the interviews were conducted by a screening committee, with the secretary (health) as chairperson, the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) director principal and the director of health services as members.

Also Read:Chandigarh Administration conducts interviews of 44 Doctors for medical officer posts

A letter, as stated in Hindustan Times, by UT health secretary Yashpal Garg stated, "The doctors are appointed initially for a period of one year or till such time their services are required by Chandigarh Administration, whichever is earlier, on the usual terms and conditions of deputation."

The administration which has been going through a staff shortage has now filled all the 164 posts of medical officers in Chandigarh, with doctors from Punjab, Haryana and a few from other states. This new panel of 44 doctors who appeared for interviews on Wednesday was sent by the Haryana government in May.

After 70 seats from the total 164 posts of MO became vacant, the UT adviser Dharam Pal in February this year sought from the health secretary a new panel of eligible doctors, including senior medical officers, medical officers, and dental surgeons, for deputation from Punjab and Haryana.

Around seven doctors were appointed from districts like Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Kaithal, Karnal, Yamunanagar and Kurukshetra, whereas the majority of them, around 20 are moving from Panchkula to Chandigarh. Panchkula and Chandigarh are two of the most sought-after locations for deputation postings, as they are considered posh postings, within city limits, reports the Indian Express.

A Haryana-based doctor said, "All these doctors in most of their work life will stay either in Panchkula or Chandigarh. Surprisingly, some are moving from just one department to another within the same city because they don't want to go to other districts in the state of Haryana. Remote areas of the state have a paucity of doctors and people don't get proper medical care only because the majority of them are being adjusted in these two cities. All use some of the other political clout to get adjusted here either in Panchkula or Chandigarh."

The Chandigarh Health Secretary Yashpal Garg said, "This can only be explained by Haryana who sent the panel of 44 doctors." Talking about the selection process, he said, "All are called for interaction by a committee chaired by the health secretary. Director, health services and director principal, GMCH are other members of the committee. Recommendations of the committee are approved by the Adviser." Some posts mentioned in the order do not require the officer to move states or UTs and remain within the same jurisdiction.

Also Read:Deputation systems ends in Rajasthan, Govt. Doctors to work where they are posted