Functioning of govt Hospitals likely to be affected

With mass retirement of doctors, especially specialists, in the government hospitals lastmonth and in the coming month, the patient care at these hospitals are going to be 

badly hit even as it is alleged that the government is showing no efforts in filling the 

vacant posts. Moreover, the medical fraternity is of the opinion that once the due 

promotions are affected, vacancies could be opened up in the lower levels, which could  fill the gap of  doctors. 

It has been said that despite the PSC rank list of about 3,500 candidates two years 

ago, advice memo had only been sent to as many as 1083 candidates till now.  It is also alleged that for the last two years promotions are due to specialist doctors in the 

health service. 

Both the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) the Kerala 

Government Specialist Doctors Association (KGSDA) have come out against the delay in filling the vacancies. It is alleged that the government that was now only interested in building Medical Colleges was giving no importance to primary and tertiary health 

care. The associations said that patient care has already been affected and is going to 

be worse in the coming days. 

Stating that most of the vacancies have not been reported, KGSDA secretary Dr Sunjith Ravi said that about 120 specialists have retired in March and about 100 could go in May, which is going to create a void in the health service. He opined that vacancies could be filled up in the lower levels only if due promotions are affected. Its about two years that promotions are due in the health service, he said.

Source: The new Indian express 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/479851/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/15-04-2015#page/4/1

Medicos against increasing pension age

The government is all out for increasing the pension age of doctors despite protest from the medical fraternity, who allege it as a move to help a few in the administrative wing whose tenure ends this March. Moreover, the government is for increasing the retirement age at a time hundreds of doctors are in waiting in the PSC list that has been pending for a long time. 

It is learned that there is much pressure from political parties, office of the Directorate of Medical Education and Directorate of Health Services even though the health department is known to have raised certain objections.  The proposal with the health department is to increase the retirement age of doctors in the DME from 60 to 63 and those with the health service from  56 to 58. 

All the major associations such as the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA), Junior Doctors Association (JDA), Kerala Medical Postgraduates Association (KMPGA) and Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) and Kerala Government Specialist Doctors Association (KGSDA) point out that increasing pension age will only hamper employment opportunities.

Meanwhile Health Minister V S Sivakumar said that no such file has come before him. ''Nothing of that such sort is being discussed now,'' he said. However, it is known that the department has already gone ahead with the proposal under much pressure.

Source: The newindianexpress 

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/425278/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/26-01-2015#page/4/1

Raisin age of PG Medicos raises apprehension

In a move raising suspicions on government's intention to raise the retirement age of Medicos, the upper age limit of service quota doctors for PG Courses has been increased. The decision has already drawn flak with a majority coming out saying that it could be the first step towards increasing the retirement age of doctors and restricting recruitment.    

As per the new guidelines for PG Medical Courses, the upper age limit for PG Degree course is 52 while its 53 for PG Diploma, and has to furnish a bond to work for 5 years, which means they will be in service even after retiring at 56. The degree course is for three years and diploma for 2 years. As per the bond, they should serve for 5 years, which means until 60 years they can be in service. 

Once the doctors complete the course, they are bound to work for another 5 years, which means no recruitment is done.  This is clearly a step towards  increasing the retirement age, the doctors said.  

Stating that there was no issue with respect to the increase of age, Kerala Government Medical Officers Association state president Dr E P Mohanan said ''as such there is no issue and recruitment is taking place. The admission in the service quota is like a bonus for the service that a doctor has rendered all his life.'' 

Moreover, he said that the bond is not mandatory unless the government insists it.  When asked if it would not be draining the exchequer as the doctors pursuing the course are studying with government money, Mohanan said ''the issue raises only if deputation comes into affect. As of now, no deputation is given.'' 

Meanwhile,  Kerala Government Specialist Doctors Association (KGSDA) secretary Dr Sunjith Ravi mentioned that deputation should not be given.  Apart from the increase of age, he pointed out that there was a disparity with regard to eligibility.  ''The Prospects points out that service candidates selected for/undergone PG Degree course will not be eligible for selection under service quota for a second time. However, a candidate who has obtained PG Diploma under service quota is eligible to apply for degree course in the same specialty and is entitled to get service quota benefit.  It is injustice to applicants who have entered the health service and the government should look into it,'' he said. 

Source: The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/411720/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/07-01-2015#page/4/1