Kolkata: Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has instructed the state health department to eliminate non-merit-based counselling for senior resident doctors. During a meeting with Health Secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam and other key officials, Adhikari also emphasized the need to monitor the quality of medicines supplied to patients in hospitals.
Background of the Issue
Sources revealed that Adhikari questioned the rationale behind the current posting of post-graduate doctors as senior residents across various hospitals in the state. Earlier this year, the senior resident posting process bypassed the merit-based counselling procedure. Adhikari has now directed the department to strictly adhere to merit-based counselling, sources added.
Upcoming Meeting with Doctor MLAs
Doctor MLAs from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are scheduled to meet the health secretary, director of medical education, and other senior officials at Swasthya Bhavan on Monday. Indranil Khan, MLA from Behala Paschim, stated, 'The chief minister has called for a decision on merit-based counselling for senior residents. There have been instances where doctors alleged vindictive postings by the previous state government. Additionally, there were accusations of undue advantages given in senior resident postings.'
Allegations of Lobby Influence
During the meeting, Adhikari noted that certain lobbies were actively influencing the posting of senior residents and instructed officials to eliminate the undue influence of a section of doctors. The role of the 'North Bengal Lobby' in postings had come to light during the R G Kar Hospital rape-and-murder case. It was alleged that a powerful, politically connected syndicate of doctors and state health officials controlled transfers, postings, and academic decisions across West Bengal's medical colleges.
Examples of Irregularities
Khan cited an example: 'There are cases where a gynecologist was sent to a hospital without a gynecology department. Such postings were primarily based on the political affiliation of the PGTs or doctors.'
Quality of Medicines
Adhikari also directed department officials to monitor the quality of medicines supplied at state-run hospitals across Bengal. Last year, a woman died and several others became critically ill at Paschim Medinipur District Hospital after allegedly being administered expired saline. Khan added, 'The chief minister has categorically asked department officials to administer only those medicines they consider safe for consumption. No other medicine can be administered.'
