THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The appointment of district programme managers (DPM) under the National Health Mission has come under the scanner with a majority of the doctors raising apprehension over the new postings. When experienced hands were chosen as DPMs earlier, the post is now given to junior most doctors and even to some whose probation has not yet been declared. The Kerala Medical Officers Association (KGMOA), which has already given a representation to the government, has said it was only a unilateral decision that could affect the existing system.
Noting that most of the DPMs are seen to be issuing orders bypassing the District Medical Officers, KGMOA general secretary Dr A K Raoof said: “Earlier only experienced people were appointed as DPMs even though these are political appointments. But now most of the appointments are given to junior most doctors and probation has not been declared in the case of some.’’ Though appointments are made by the NHM, al these are political appointments.
He said the association has already given a representation to the Director of Health Services and the government against the appointments. ‘’Most of the present DPMs even do not know service rules. We demand the government to appoint doctors at least in the rank of assistant directors to the post,’’ he said.
Raoof said the present move of the government is going to destabilise the system as some of the DPMs are even issuing orders bypassing the DMO, who is the chief executive officer of a district.
‘’In most of the cases, the DPMs are issuing orders and giving instructions without the knowledge of the DMO. This is going to affect the health system and also various programmes of the government. We have strong contention against the appointments,’’ he said. Meanwhile, DHS Dr R L Saritha said she had got a representation from the KGMOA. With regard to orders or instructions given by the DPMs surpassing the DMOS, she said: ‘’If such issues are pointed out by any of the DMO, then we will take corrective measures. As they are the chief executive officers, they themselves can correct this.’’
Noting that the appointments are directly made at the government level, she said the department only gave no-objection certificates to doctors who chose for deputation in NHM.