Doctors' Association for Social Equality

DOCTORS’ ASSOCIATION FOR SOCIAL EQUALITY
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[Regd. No.322/2004]
#41, Chavadi Street, Pallavaram, Chennai – 600 043 Tamil Nadu
Phone : 044-2264 3561, 2264 2790, Fax: 044-22643562, Cell : 94441 83776, 9940664343
www.daseindia.org Email : daseindia@yahoo.com, daseindia@gmail.com.




Date;29/01/08

To
The Chief Secretary
Government of Tamilnadu



Most Respected Sir,

We write to you to express grave concern over the escalating unhealthy atmosphere prevailing at Thoothukudi HUD (health unit district)and the grisly toll it takes on the mental peace of Medical Officers.
A gigantic hoarding has been placed in front of Mullakad Primary health centre(PHC) in Thoothukudi HUD by some vested interests(HealthInspectors),bearing blatanly derogatory remarks against the MedicalOfficer of the PHC Dr.Santhanamari, who has all along maintained an excellent track record,besides garnering a good public rapport. Also a couple of Health inspectors working in the PHC along with 15 other persons have held a demonstration within the premesis of the PHC on 28-01-08,without obtaining any permission from the authorities concerned.Using the occasion the demonstrators have uttered filthy and unparlimentary words against the lady medical officer of the PHC sufficient enough to traumatize her mentally and totally demoralize her. The aim of such Acrimonious acts is to intimidate a strict,sincere and straight forward Medical Officer. A complaint has been lodged in this regard to the Deputy director of health services ,Thoothukudi and the Director of public health,Chennai.
Today(29/01/07) a Health inspector by name Peter barnabas has gone to the PHC at 11.50 am(PHC starts at 8.00am) ,and has forcibly snatched the attendance register from the lady medical officer’s hands and has signed it.Also he has threatned the Medical officer of dire consequences if she questions him or tries to take any action against him an (act of gross insubordination).The concerned health inspector has a nefarious track record and several complaints against him are pending action.
Such undesirable activities are being carried out from the shoulders of an employees association(grossly misusing it) and these persons are under strong impression that no official can touch them.

This is not the first incident to happen,but several such incidents of its kind happen at frequent intervals ,not only in this HUD but also in various other HUDs throughout the state about which the administrators are well aware.(an overt exhibition of humiliation and disrespect caused to MOs).what is most disgusting is the fact ,the administrators instead of taking action against the culprits try to persuade ,convince or sometimes even browbeat MOs to silence them.

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Moreover ,when the governments implements an important health scheme in the best interest of the society, even for persons at the edge of sanity it is well understood that the entire health sector employees should work in unison to make the scheme, a great success.(whether or not an individual or an association has a conflict or an opinion difference regarding the scheme),But unfortunately some field workers frankly refuse to carryout the work as ordered/instructed/requested by the MO.The reason given is that their association has ordered not to work for a particular scheme. For Example ,In case of malaria eradication program some VHNs and Health Inspectors plainly refuse to take active fever surveillance blood smears in their respective areas. The irony is that these people have been recruited into the health dept specifically for such field work.The most ridiculous irony is that the DDHS call for explanation from the medical officer for the non achievement of active blood smear targets[which is the work of the above field staff] while turning mute spectators towards the disobeying field staff.The silence of DDs make us presume that they endorse the claims of these workers(a tacit consent rather).


We believe that it’s the duty of a responsible association to make due representation to the government for whatsoever cogent reasons and get favourable orders by fighting through democratic means instead of resorting to such unfair and undignified practices.

The logic behind such unholy acts is simple.Some self centred fanactics under the guise of an association office bearer try to carve a niche (rather a wicked niche ) which will make them immune to any kind of departmental action and have fairly succeded. Witnessing such cheap benefits enjoyed by a small group more persons join the clan desisting work.
This evil is spreading its ugly tentacles at a faster pace , which if left unchecked will shake the very pillars of the Public Health dept .
It is high time that the government deals these culprits with an iron fist and oxygenate the health dept for making a better society and maintaining our no.1 position in Health status .
Thanking you

Yours truly

( DR..P.DORAI ) ( DR.D.ARAM)
State Secretary State President


Copy submitted to
1)The Secretary,Health and family welfare dept,Chennai
2)The Director of public Health,Chennai
3)The District Collector,Thoothukudi
4)The Deputy Director of Health Services,Thoothukudi.