Parmar flays transfer of 41 doctors from Ner Chowk hospital

Sullah MLA Vipin Singh Parmar today flayed the state government for transferring 41 doctors from Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College and Hospital, Ner Chowk in Mandi district. He urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to review the decision and allow doctors to continue serving at the Ner Chowk hospital.

Parmar, while talking to reporters here, said that the large-scale transfer of doctors from medical colleges would adversely affect health services and cause inconvenience to patients. He added that as per the transfer orders published in various newspapers, of the 41 doctors shifted from the Ner Chowk hospital, 28 had been posted in different health facilities while 13 had been transferred to other districts. He claimed that in all medical colleges, the strength of doctors was much less than the sanctioned posts.

The former Health Minister said that instead of disturbing doctors working in medical colleges, the government should strengthen the health set-up there. “November is no time for the transfers of doctors or any other government employee. The government should come out with a transfer policy, particularly for doctors, in accordance with their cadre,” he added. He expressed concern over resignations submitted by super specialist doctors from the state services and joining AIIMS at Bilaspur and Jammu.

Parmar alleged that ever since the Congress formed government in the state, it had been neglecting the health sector. He said that the IGMC, Shimla, Tanda medical college in Kangra and Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College at Ner Chowk in Mandi district had emerged as premier health institutions of the state. “They are the backbone of Himachal’s healthcare system and transferring such a large number of doctors at once will cripple essential services. Therefore, the government should not disturb the faculties of these colleges,” he added.