Jehangir Rashid
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Feb 25: Although two months have passed ever since the Principal Secretary, Health & Medical Education Atal Dulloo passed on directions to his subordinate staff to take action against a doctor found indulging in private practice despite the orders against the same no action whatsoever has been taken so far.
On January 2, 2019, Principal Secretary Health & Medical Education wrote to Additional Secretary, Health & Medical Education asking him to act against the Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Pulwama Dr. Abdul Rashid Parra. Despite the clear cut directions that a doctor holding the post of Medical Superintendent cannot do private practice, Dr. Parra is doing the same.
Early Times had published a story about the issue some time back and following the same the Principal Secretary, Health & Medical Education asked the Additional Secretary of the department to act against the doctor and that too at the earliest. However, till date no action whatsoever has been taken thus giving an impression that many a slip between cup and lip.
"The directions from the Principal Secretary, Health & Medical Education should have been taken seriously by the Additional Secretary, but that is not to be. So far no action has been taken against Dr. Parra and in fact he has been carrying out the private practice without any fail. The inaction suggests that rules are for fools and not for influential," said sources while sharing views with Early Times.
It would be in place to mention here that Dr. Parra was appointed as Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Pulwama in July 2016 on look after basis. Over the last two and half years the Health Department has failed to locate a doctor (Medical Officer) who could be appointed as Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Pulwama on full time basis.
"Consequent, upon the transfer of Dr. Mohd Saleem Consultant Anesthesia DH Pulwama, who was looking after the work of M.S DH Pulwama to SDH Tangdar Kupwara, Dr Ab Rashid Parra Consultant Anesthesia DH Pulwama is hereby directed to look after the work of M.S DH Pulwama in addition to his own duties till further orders," wrote Director Health Services Kashmir in order number Est/3/1-133/1418-22 dated 07-7-2016.
Sources said that the post of Medical Superintendent is an administrative post and can be assigned to the doctor who has the relevant experience in this regard. They said that a Medical Officer should have been appointed as Medical Superintendent in this case and not an anesthetist who has no administrative experience.
"Director Health Services Kashmir is not competent and authorized to issue such an order and the same can be issued by Health & Medical Education department. However, in this case since Dr. Parra was favourite of then Director all the rules were bypassed and he was made Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Pulwama," said sources. |
