STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In his hot pursuit to ‘instill’ discipline in medical institutions, Health Minister Lal Singh on Saturday imposed fine of Rs. 6000 on the medicos and paramedics of District Hospital Samba, who were found without uniform and name plates. He asked them to maintain proper dress code during duty hours, according to an official handout.
Departing from the normal official procedure, the Health Minister’s anarchical approach has raised several questions over the functioning of PDP-BJP Government in Jammu and Kashmir. The legal experts, dealing with service rules, opine that no minister or bureaucrat can impose a fine on officials, as this is construed as direct punishment, which is not in consonance with the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Service Rules.
“A delinquent official can be placed under suspension pending enquiry or asked to explain through proper channel”, the experts told STATE TIMES, adding that the Minister can only direct for such an action through designated official channels but not do it on its own. They described the imposition of fine as unprecedented, unheard of and anarchical, saying these cannot withstand judicial scrutiny
Meanwhile, Resident Doctors Association of Government Medical College Hospital Jammu on Sunday condemned ‘the unethical and illogical suspension of a PG student by the Principal on the directions of Minister for Health and Medical Education without conducting proper enquiry and demanded his immediate reinstatement.
According to the Resident Doctors Association, the doctor, during his duty on 29th April had prescribed Immunoglobulin (HBIg) for baby of Hepatitis B Postive mother, which has to be given immediately after birth to prevent Hepatitis B infection to baby. As this drug was not available in the Hospital, the duty doctor was bound to ask the attendant about the necessity of drug which they purchased from the market.
“Instead of appreciating the efforts, the doctor was suspended”, the Association said, adding that the entire medical fraternity feels mentally harassed by such act. The Association highlighted the fact that essential drugs and items like disposable syringes, I/V cannula, endotracheal tubes, nasogastric tubes, catheters, suture materials, Inj avil, noradrenaline, dobutamine, heparin, mesoprost, Immunoglobulin (IVIG, HBIg), antibiotics, ondasteron, tramadol, isoprenalline, anticonvulsant, buscopan, central venous line, orthopaedic implants and pacemakers are not available in Hospital and doctors on duty are bound to ask attendants to make these available.
The Association also claimed that the GMC Jammu Emergency had 10 ventilators without a single monitor attached to them, which makes practically impossible to monitor vitals of the critically ill patients. “Instead of making efforts to improve infrastructure of GMC Jammu and Associated Hospitals, the PG students and Registrars are targeted, harassed and victimised by such shameful acts like suspension”, the Association added while urging the Minister to revoke the suspension order of PG student and provide a safe and working environment with proper infrastructure so that health services are strengthened.
