The Indian Express 21.08.2012
Ayurveda docs will not be removed from YCM hospital: PCMC chief
Last week, about 30 resident doctors were asked to vacate official accommodation at the hospital by August 23: Civic body plans to revamp medical facilities at the hospital
A week after Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) asked as many as 30 resident doctors at civic-run YCM Hospital to vacate official accommodation at the hospital by August 23, Municipal Commissioner Shrikar Pardeshi, on Monday, said the doctors would not be removed and would be allowed to work under senior doctors.
Officials said the Corporation is also trying to revamp its medical facilities. Pardeshi said, “These resident doctors are ayurveda doctors with BAMS degree. YCM is an allopathic hospital and norms do not allow ayurveda doctors to handle patients in an allopathic hospital. If anything goes wrong, YCM chief will be held responsible. As per the norms, of the total doctors, we can have only 25 per cent ayurveda doctors. Currently, this number was more than 25 per cent,” he said. Civic officials said the hospital has nearly 70 ayurveda doctors. Now, the state government has also decided to send 35 MBBS doctors to YCM Hospital for one year, officials said.
Meanwhile, the civic body’s move asking resident doctors to vacate YCM Hospital premises has drawn flak from activists, especially in view of the fact these doctors have been working round the clock at the hospital and that too without taking a penny from the civic administration. “Resident doctors currently working with YCM Hospital are the backbone of the hospital. They are available 24 X 7 and are the first interface between patients and the hospital,” said a senior YCM doctor.
Last week, when the doctors were asked to look for alternative accommodation, they had stopped working as a sign of protest. Many of them were in tears as they sought to know their fault for what they described as humiliating treatment meted out to them. “We work under senior doctors and are ready to learn and work round the clock,” said a resident doctor.
Dr Pardeshi said since the government has sent 35 MBBS doctors who are experts in various streams, it will help improve the situation at YCM Hospital. Former corporator Babu Nair, though complemented the civic chief over new appointments, said, “Doctors whether ayurveda or allopath should be treated with respect.”
On Friday and Saturday, two MBBS doctors who wanted to join YCM Hospital refused to take up the assignment given to them. PCMC health chief Dr Anand Jagdale said the civic chief will sensitise the new joinees. “We will get things done from them...”
Meanwhile, the PCMC is working hard to improve its medical facilities, officials said. Dr Jagdale confirmed that the PCMC was preparing a “vision document of health” till 2030. “We are seeking advice and information about the kind of health and medical facilities will be required till 2030. For this, we are inviting doctors, specialists and other experts for a brainstorming session,” he said. Dr Jagdale said improving facilities at periperhy hospitals would ease the load on YCM Hospital.
