Shaken out of slumber after the death of five newborns in ludhiana owing to negligence of government doctors, Punjab Government on Tuesday asked the Civil Surgeons of all districts to personally monitor the functioning of Government hospitals.
Besides, instructions have also been issued to conduct periodic surprise checks in their respective districts. Directions have been issued by the State Health and Family Welfare Minister Surjit Kumar Jayani, who also made it clear that any laxity on the part of the doctors causing any harm to the patients would not be spared.
Also taking immediate steps to check growing indiscipline in ludhiana Civil Hospital following five unfortunate deaths of infants in past two days, Jayani on Tuesday posted Dr Renu as Medical Superintendent at Civil Hospital after suspending Dr Alka Mittal “for negligence and carelessness, and bringing a bad name to the Government as well as the department”.
The decision was taken at a high level emergent meeting of the Health department to take stock of the latest updates in ludhiana incident presided over by the Minister. Jayani has also directed ludhiana Deputy Commissioner to submit the inquiry report in the matter within seven days.
Taking strong view of the reluctance on the part of the specialized surgeons to operate during the procedures in government hospitals, Jayani asked them to remain present in the operation theatres especially while handling serious delivery cases.Quoting statistics, the Minister said that the number of institutional deliveries has risen to two lakh per year as compared to merely 40,000 in 2009.