Haryana: Controversy Erupts Over Suspension of Civil Surgeon

A conflict between the MLA and the doctor's body of Kaithal has erupted controversy following the suspension of a civil surgeon of Kaithal. The Haryana Civil Medical Service Association doctors have threatened to stop conducting raids on diagnostic labs and hospitals to determine if they are associated with sex determination if the recently suspended doctor is not reinstated.

This came after the Chief Medical Officer of a health facility was suspended by the Haryana Government after MLA Lila Ram wrote to the Health Minister alleging that the health department is facing corruption and the CMO was allegedly misbehaving with public representatives and there are also inconsistencies in the hiring process of outsourced workers.

However, the association of doctors of Haryana extended their support to the CMO and has written to the Chief Minister of Haryana regarding the same.

Also Read: Haryana: 65 food samples found non-compliant with prescribed norms during FDA raids, says Anil Vij

The Association claimed that the MLA falsely accused the doctor as he wanted to save another doctor and facility involved in illegal sex determination.

In a letter to CM, the doctor association stated that a team of doctors raided Arya spiral CT scan center, Kaithal on 20.09.2020 under the PC PNDT Act and found the doctor doing illegal sex determination. The doctors' association alleged that the local MLA Shri Ram pressurized the team to discontinue the raid and asked the team to leave the place in daily. However, the team continued the raid as per the PC PNDT Act for threatened the team to face the consequences.

In the letter, the association added that "now to our surprise, the doctor who was a civil surgeon Kaithal has been unfortunately put on the suspension on 7.10.2020 on the basis of frivolous complaints of the said MLA." Engaged by the false complaint incurred against the surgeon, the association further added, "the act of public representatives (said MLA) favors the people involved in sex termination on female foeticide which is highly unfortunate and condemnable. Such type of action demoralizes the doctors and hinders the flagship program."

The association stated that the unjust suspension of a doctor will only demoralize other doctors and the whole situation is very disheartening and humiliating. The doctor stated that if these continue, they will not be able to render service under the PC PNDT Act. Hence in the letter, they added that "Therefore we humbly request you to intervene in the matter and reinstate the civil surgeon. We further request you to direct the public representatives not to hinder the duties of doctors working sincerely and honestly."

In the meanwhile, two audio clips have also gone viral on social media where the MLA was purportedly found asking the CMO to help the private practitioner who had been charged following the raid under the PNDT act. The second clip had a 'staffer' allegedly reminding the CMO of the MLA's instruction to help the accused. When asked to comment on the video clips, the MLA stated that those are fabricated and denied any allegation.

The MLA told The Tribune that "These clips are being circulated because the CMO was suspended on my complaint. The truth is that he does not take my calls and some irregularities in the appointment of contractual staff had emerged in the past. I brought it to the notice of the Health Minister through a representation."

Meanwhile, Health Minister Anil Vij stated that he has already instructed the department to start an initial inquiry. Additional Chief Secretary health Rajiv Arora following his instructions has already found a three-member committee to start the investigation. The Health Minister stated "The CMO was suspended after I received a representation from the local MLA who had stated that the former did not take his calls. He had attached a letter by a Senior Medical Officer. This letter mentioned that the SMO was instructed against attending calls of public representatives. In the light of that complaint, the CMO was suspended and an inquiry has been marked."

Doctors' body in Haryana's Kaithal have written to @cmohry for reinstating the suspended CMO. Doctors allege that CMO was suspended at the behest of local MLA Lila Ram who wanted the CMO to go slow against sex determination centres. Docs remind @cmohry about @BetiBachaoBeti @ndtv @ghazalimohammad October 11, 2020