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

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 

Row Over Govt Move to Extend DME Service

With the Director of Medical Education's tenure to end this month, the government's move to give extension for another two more years has led to wide criticism, with many see it as a prelude to the government's attempt to increase the retirement age of teachers in the Medical Education Service.

It is also alleged that the government that shows much enthusiasm in giving extension to the existing higher officials, it has not shown interest in making any new recruitment. Already a list of doctors, of which 900 have specialty qualification, is pending and is alleged that the PSC was ready to fill the posts within two weeks if the Directorate of Medical Education had notified the posts.

Pressure is alleged be mounting on the government as well as the health department for extending the period of the DME. However, sources said that if the extension was given, it would only create an unnecessary precedence. The move is also seen as a prelude to the government's intention to increase the retirement age in the Medical Education Service to 62.

Meanwhile Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA), which has always stood against increasing the pension age, said that they vehemently opposed any such move. ''The Association opposes the retirement age or extension of service of any individual or in general,'' KGMCTA general secretary Dr C P Vijayan said. Moreover, he also pointed out that the seven long years of the present DME was not fruitful.

However, officials in the health department said that there was no such pressure for extending the DME's tenure. They said that the DME can continue till the end of the academic year. But it is said that there was no superannuation as the post was only an administrative one and not academic. 

Source< The New Indian Express

http://epaper.newindianexpress.com/381029/The-New-Indian-Express-Thiruvananthapuram/24-11-2014#page/4/1