THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At a time when the government is struggling to get doctors for public hospitals, medicos who have been inducted into service are opting for working arrangement or long leave. Doctors say many of their compatriots have created a trend by opting for working arrangement to remain in their hometown.
If a doctor appointed in a particular place opts for working arrangement, the post will remain vacant affecting the aim of the government in providing treatment at the ground level, a doctor told Express.
Recently, a few doctors appointed under the Directorate of Health Services opted for working arrangement the same day they were posted. Opting for a working arrangement without even serving a single day at the place where they are appointed is an unhealthy practice, said another doctor. “This facility is being given at a time when the state is taking steps to tackle monsoon diseases,” he said.
Director of Health Services Dr R L Sarita told Express the government had issued guidelines for working arrangement. “It is given as per the specifications. The directorate has not posted anyone in working arrangement after I assumed office,” she said.
Regarding a specific case related to a doctor posted in a northern district now serving the State Health Resource Centre, Sarita said the person was deputed after the Kasargod DMO issued a no-objection certificate. “She has been posted as part of a training programme and not on working arrangement,” said the director.
When asked about reports of several doctors trying for working arrangements, Sarita said everything would be done only as per the guidelines.
Kerala Government Medical Officers Association state president V Madhu said they were against working arrangement. “It should be given only in exceptional circumstances,” he said. “Though the government had claimed no working arrangements were being given, it is now happening.”
He said the situation might worsen as some doctors are slated to retire this month. “If the doctors who are appointed opt for a working arrangement or fail to join duty, the situation will be grave,” Madhu said.
Though the government claims to have created thousands of vacancies, the public health sector still faces shortage of doctors.