Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Monday directed the Health Department to take his approval before transferring or posting any doctor
henceforth.
Priority should be given to posting of doctors in rural and far-flung areas, said the Chief Minister while addressing a public meeting at Junga tehsil here after laying the foundation stone of Rs 1.66 crore bridge and Industrial Training Institute (ITI) costing Rs 4.80 crore.
Virbhadra Singh said that he was dissatisfied with the medical profession that had nowadays become a source of minting money and earnings. Doctors were found busy adjusting their transfers and framing reasons for not going to rural and far-flung areas, said he.
The Chief Minister said that the government had appointed adequate number of doctors and para medical staff, opened Primary Health Centres (PHCs) Community Health Centres (CHCs) in remote areas, during last four and a half years, but it had been observed that these institutions still lack staff and doctors.
Wherever he goes, he receives complaints from people about vacancies in health institutions. The Health department will have to ponder on this issue seriously and should strictly adhere to his instructions, said the Chief Minister.
He said that if any of the para medical staff or doctors was found absent in his place of posting, he would face strict action by the Government. “We have to be strict and frame a policy that doctors posted in rural areas should complete their tenure and work with dedication, in service of people and not just adopt the profession for earnings”, he said.
The Chief Minister strictly ordered that all vacant posts of doctors and para medical staff may be filled up in the hospital at Junga within a day.
He also announced that the road from Mehli to Junga would be widened and metalled soon for which a provision of Rs 50 lakh had been made by the Government. He also approved to open two additional trades in ITI, Junga and said that the MlA of the area should consult and discuss with marketing board for opening of sub vegetable yard at Junga.