SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, March 22: Despite having the second-highest number of voters, doctors from Dhanbad and Jamshedpur feel overlooked in the newly formed committee of the Jharkhand State Health Services Association (JSHSA).
According to the list released by Chief Election Officer Dr. Lal Majhi, Ranchi had the highest number of registered voters (168 doctors), followed by Dhanbad (115), Palamu (100), and Jamshedpur (90). However, neither Dhanbad nor Jamshedpur secured any position in the 44-member committee.
Elections and Representation
In the elections held on January 20, Dr. Bimlesh Singh was elected president, while seven out of eight vice-presidents, treasurer Dr. Stephan Xess, and eight joint secretaries were elected unopposed. Elections were only conducted for the posts of convener, secretary, and Kolhan Division’s vice-president.
No doctor from Dhanbad contested for any position. Dr. Shahid Anwar from Jamshedpur ran for the vice-president post of the Kolhan Division but was defeated by Dr. Jagannath Hembram from West Singhbhum.
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Concerns Over Exclusion
Senior medical officers from Dhanbad and Jamshedpur have expressed disappointment, arguing that given the prominence of both districts after Ranchi, they should have been granted representation in the six-member executive committee or the 18-member central committee.
Jamshedpur Civil Surgeon Dr. Shahir Pal, who was initially expected to contest for the president’s post, was also not given any role in the new committee.
Executive and Central Committee Members
The six nominated executive members are Dr. Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Dr. Sanjay Kujur, Dr. Rahul Kishor Singh, Dr. Bimlesh Kumar, Dr. Chitranjan Kumar Pankaj, and Dr. Santosh Kumar.
The 18-member Central Committee includes Dr. Pankaj Kumar, Dr. Lal Majhi, Dr. Raman Kumar, Dr. R.K. Singh, Dr. Pradeep Singh, Dr. Akhilesh Jha, Dr. Vijay Kishore Rajak, Dr. Usha Singh, Dr. Pearl Esther Minj, Dr. Shilpa Tigga, Dr. Vikash Kumar, Dr. Rajeev Kumar, Dr. Rajeev Ranjan, Dr. Amresh Kumar, Dr. Rohit Singh, Dr. Ritesh Ranjan, Dr. Hidaytullah Khan, and Dr. Preetish Pronoy.
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JSHSA Secretary Defends Selection
Responding to concerns, JSHSA Secretary Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh stated that the elections were open to all, and medical officers willing to take an active role had the opportunity to contest. He emphasized that the committee prioritized quality over regional representation.
Regarding Dhanbad’s absence, he noted that the JSHSA district body there had been inactive for some time. However, a new committee, led by Dr. Ashutosh Singh as president and Dr. Jitesh Ranjan as secretary, was formed three months ago and is functioning effectively.
“Our primary mission is to address the challenges faced by medical officers to prevent doctors from leaving the state and to attract professionals from other regions. We are also committed to improving healthcare services to ensure better treatment for patients,” Dr. Thakur Mritunjay Kumar Singh added.
