Cong, BJP spar over transfer of doctors from Una hospital

The transfer of five doctors from the Una District Hospital to various health institutions across Himachal Pradesh has ignited a political controversy between the ruling Congress and opposition BJP leaders. Dr Sanjay Mankotia, Medical Superintendent of Una District Hospital, stated that the hospital, which has a sanctioned strength of 37 doctors, now operates with 30 medical officers after four doctors were relieved and one contested the transfer order due to impending retirement. Dr Mankotia clarified that none of the transferred doctors were specialists.

Una MLA Satpal Satti (BJP) criticised the transfers, claiming they would cripple healthcare services in the district. He highlighted that the BJP, during its tenure, had increased the hospital’s sanctioned strength of doctors from 26 to 37 and expanded the indoor bed capacity from 200 to 300. Satti accused the Congress government of favoring mafias, including those involved in drugs and pharmaceuticals, and linked the transfers to political motives. He noted the absence of a radiologist at the hospital, forcing patients to rely on private clinics for essential tests like ultrasounds, while the hospital’s equipment remains unused.

Satti also pointed to the incomplete construction of the Trauma and Cardiac Care Unit, sanctioned under the BJP government, and credited his party for establishing the Mother and Child Hospital adjacent to Una District Hospital.

In response, Congress leader and former Una MLA Satpal Raizada refuted the allegations, stating that the transfers were based on the Himachal Pradesh High Court’s directive to address shortages of medical officers in underserved health institutions across the state. He asserted that there was no political agenda behind the transfers and emphasized that healthcare services at Una District Hospital would remain unaffected since no specialists were transferred.

Raizada accused BJP leaders of seeking cheap publicity and dismissed their claims as baseless. He countered Satti’s allegations about incomplete projects, stating that the Congress government had finalized and furnished the Mother and Child Care Center after the BJP had prematurely inaugurated it during the last Assembly elections.

He also defended the Congress government’s efforts against corruption, asserting that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has implemented strict measures against all forms of mafias. Raizada highlighted significant actions against drug and mining mafias, including recoveries, arrests, fines, and the seizure of vehicles involved in illegal activities.

The clash reflects the ongoing political rivalry in Himachal Pradesh, with both parties leveraging healthcare services and infrastructure developments to bolster their narratives.