 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 7: Renowned RTI activist Balvinder Singh has urged the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, the Health Minister Sakina Itoo, and the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to introduce a structured policy for inter-medical college transfers of doctors and allied healthcare personnel across Jammu province.
Mr. Singh stated that earlier, Government Medical College Jammu was the only tertiary care institution in the region, and therefore, the absence of a transfer mechanism was understandable. However, with the establishment of multiple government medical colleges in Jammu province, the continued lack of rotational postings has led to administrative imbalance and limited institutional dynamism.
Highlighting key concerns, he pointed out that prolonged tenure of medical professionals in a single institution may, in certain cases, give rise to conflicts of interest and inefficiencies in healthcare delivery. He noted that patients often face delays in elective surgical procedures, diagnostic investigations, and specialist consultations, which can result in increased waiting periods and inconvenience, particularly for economically weaker sections.
However, Mr. Singh categorically clarified that these observations should not be construed as a generalisation against the entire medical fraternity. He emphasised that a large number of doctors continue to serve with utmost dedication, professionalism, and ethical commitment, and that exceptions always exist in every system.
He further stated that the objective of his appeal is to strengthen institutional accountability and improve patient-centric healthcare delivery. In this regard, he advocated for a transparent and regulated inter-college transfer policy to ensure optimal utilisation of human resources, prevent any possibility of monopolistic practices, and enhance overall efficiency in public healthcare institutions.
Singh urged the administration to take timely action in the larger public interest, stating that such reforms would go a long way in improving service delivery, reducing patient burden, and reinforcing public trust in the government healthcare system. |
