SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Aug 9: The recent transfer-posting of medical officers in the state has once again exposed how the Jharkhand government, particularly the health department, does not follow its established norms.
Under established norms, medical officers or civil surgeons will stay on the post for three years but in the present state government, doctors are being demoted and promoted in six months.
However, this norm has been followed more in violation.
To cite an example, Dr Abhay Bhushan Prasad was CS Bokaro. On July 31, 2023, he was demoted and posted as a tuberculosis officer in West Singhbhum. Four months later in November, he was promoted to civil surgeon in Jamtara. Now, he has been transferred within nine months to Bokaro as CS.
Similarly, Dr Naval Kumar was the CS of Simdega. In July 2023, he was demoted and transferred to the post of ACMO Garhwa. He has again been promoted and appointed as CS of Gumla.
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Six demoted CSs fail to get a berth
One year ago (in July 2023), 10 civil surgeons were demoted in the name of transfer-posting. Three of them, including Dr Ramdeo Paswan, Dr Abhay Bhushan Prasad and Dr Naval Kumar regained the post of CS in 2024.
However, six civil surgeons who were demoted in 2023 including Dr Binod Kumar of Ranchi, Dr Alok Vishwakarma of Dhanbad, Dr Anil Kumar ( Koderma), Dr Shyamnandan Singh (Chatra), Dr Sanjay Kumar ( Lohardaga), Dr Anil Kumar ( Koderma) are not lucky this time.
Dr Anil Kumar after demotion in 2023 from the post of Koderma CS to TB officer Latehar, was made deputy director soon. But in the August 2024 transfer posting, he has been posted as state leprosy officer.
No fixed cadre in health department
Ironically, Jharkhand is the first state in the country that has not decided cadre in the health department even after 24 years. Uttarakhand and Chhattisgarh, created along with Jharkhand, have already fixed cadres.
A retired director-in-chief of health said that the Jharkhand High Court, in 2018, had directed the state government to decide on a cadre of medical officers. However, the health department has yet to comply with the order.
Silence of JHSA, IMA surprises medical officers
Medical officers of the state are surprised by the silence of the Jharkhand Health Service Association (JHSA), the frontal body of government doctors and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) over the irrational transfer and demotion of medical officers.
A senior medical officer, requesting anonymity, pointed out that JHSA and IMA office bearers become active when their interest comes under threat.
