Proposed guide for DNB course shifted to favour longest-stay doctor
KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, July 29: In yet another example of brazen nepotism in department of health and medical education Kashmir, a consultant gynecologist who in addition to her own duties was proposed to be the guide for DNB Course has been transferred and relieved unceremoniously, allegedly to favour a blue eyed doctor who has never been transferred from Pulwama district hospital for the last around 12 years.
The story goes like this:
Dr Shaheena consultant gynecology and obstetrics who was posted at district hospital Pulwama since 28-12-2015 has been transferred to district hospital Ganderbal vide order number 603-HME of 2019 dated 25/06/2019 just after three years of her stay at Pulwama hospital.
Ironically, the transfer has been made not in contravention to the administrative department’s previous directive (transfer to be made against longest stay) but allegedly to retain Dr Hafiza Akhter, the wife of Medical Superintendent of the Pulwama district hospital who is serving in the said hospital since 20-06-2007.
As per its own order number No HD/GAZ/GEN/16/2019 dated 15/03/2019, the administrative department of health and medical education had asked director health services Kashmir: “…to intimate that Dr. Liza Rafiq is a fresh consultant gynecology, appointed vide G.O No: 182-HME of 2019 dated 13-02-2019 and may not be appropriate to transfer her to District hospital Ganderbal at this stage that too allowing her to work at JLNM hospital Srinagar.”
This letter signed Mohammad Iqbal Lone, the then under secretary, health and medical education department has categorically mentioned: “Accordingly, you are requested to propose shifting of other longest stay consultant gynecology of district hospital Pulwama paving way for Dr Liza Rafiq to work, consultant gynecology against resultant post, being newly appointed as her transfer/re-adjustment at this stage is not justified.”
However, the transfer order issued is absolutely contradictory to the administrative department’s directive as the longest staying consultant gynecology is Dr. Hafiza who is there for around 12 years and has not been transferred and instead Dr Shaheena who is her junior most has been shifted to district hospital Ganderbal.
“There is brazen nepotism in the health department and the instant case being that of Dr Hafiza who is the wife of Medical Superintendent District hospital Pulwama and MS does not want to displace her wife,” sources in the director health services Kashmir revealed to Kashmir Despatch.
Sources said that Dr Shaheena was proposed as DNB guide in district hospital Pulwama as she was the only MD consultant gynecology candidate available in Pulwama district hospital. “It is quite unfortunate on one side government is planning to start DNB course in district hospital Pulwama and on other side transfer is made for the already proposed and eligible DNB guide. This is how the department of health is working in Kashmir,” a senior officer in administrative department of Health and Medical education told Kashmir Despatch, pleading for anonymity.
Despite repeated attempts by Kashmir Despatch, Dr. Kunzes Dolma, Director Health Services Kashmir, was not available for comments. When asked about the issue, CMO Pulwama Dr Haseena Mir passed the buck to Medical Superintendent Pulwama district hospital. “Please confirm the details from the MS district hospital Pulwama. I don’t know anything about this case,” she told Kashmir Despatch.
When contacted Abdul Rashid Parra, Medical Superintendent district hospital Pulwama said: “We have forwarded the case to the directorate of health services and the order has been issued by the financial commissioner. Seniority is not the only criteria for transfers but there are other aspects which are taken into consideration for transfer and postings. However, you can verify all these details from the directorate of health services or from the office of financial commissioner health and medical education department.”
Asked about the list of doctors working in district hospital as per their seniority, the Dr Parra feigned ignorance about the same. “I don’t know the details. But you can get these details from the directorate of health services.”
Mr. Atal Dulloo, financial commissioner health and medical education department who has issued the order in question, was not available for his comments. A senior officer in the administrative told Kashmir Despatch that Mr. Dulloo was outside India on some official visit.
