Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 24
The recent posting and transfer of medical officers in the State appears to have upset some section of people other than the doctors themselves. First it was the opposition Congress party which alleged that the ruling Naga Peoples’ Front (NPF) was doing it for their “personal vote bank in their support,” followed by, surprisingly, the Naga Women Hoho Dimapur stating that transfers are not in the interest of some doctors. Both the organisations demanded that the order be revoked with the Congress even threatening to take its own course of action.
However, the interference of outside elements in their transfer and posting has not gone down well with a group of doctors (whose names feature in the order.) These doctors have pointed out that it is a routine reshuffle in the department starting from the Directorate level right down to the PHCs. On conditions of anonymity, the doctors stated that there is no need to “politicise” the issue. “We are not covered under the model code of conduct so I don’t see why our transfer should be anybody’s problem?” one doctor remarked.
They also alleged that “such statement coming from outsiders could be at the behest of some doctors who do not want to be transferred,” adding that as government servants, they are bound to be transferred and it should not be a matter of concern for anybody other than the doctors themselves.
Department sources informed that major reshuffle of medical officers was in the pipeline for a long time and it is merely a coincidence that it has come right before the election. “Certain people are trying to capitalise on the issue but the department will not be bogged down by any sorts of pressure,” an officer stated.
One of the underlying issues why doctors are reluctant to postings in some cases is due to the Nagaland Medical Service Rules which is based on single line seniority.
Doctors feel that unless the Service Rules are redrawn in the interest of the fraternity, discontentment of postings and transfers will arise.
The single line seniority prevents doctors from choosing their area of work and it especially affects doctors with specialist degrees. For instance, a gynaecologist becomes a ‘Malaria Officer’ or a surgeon becomes a ‘Leprosy Officer.’ “Specialists must be posted in areas where they can utilise their practise. How is a gynaecologist useful in the Malaria department?” one doctor questioned. The doctor argued that they are given no choice whether they wish to practise medicine or do clerical work. This is one of the reasons that there is so much reluctance to be transferred it is learnt.
