SRINAGAR: In a funny and unprecedented development, the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has issued the transfer orders of the Medical Superintendent (MS) of Lal Ded Hospital that falls under the administrative control of the Principal Government Medical College (GMC), Srinagar.
Funny things can happen in J&K Director, Health Services, (K) transgresses jurisdictional powers of GMC Principal @drsamiarashid, shifts in/out Med Suptd of Lal Ded hospital. @HealthMedicalE1, who runs LD hospital – Dir, Health or GMC Principle? Fued out in open? @manojsinha_ pic.twitter.com/pIaWcOlz96
— Mufti Islah (@islahmufti) November 12, 2021
All the Associated Hospitals of the GMC, Srinagar, including the Lal Ded Hospital Srinagar, falls under the administrative control of GMC. The GMC principal has reacted to the Director’s intervention.
“Dr Shabir Ahmad Siddiqui Dr Shahir Ahmad Sidiqui, Consultant Anaesthesiology, presently looking after the charge of the post of Medical Superintendent, Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar is transferred and is directed to report in the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for working as Nodal Officer for the establishment of Intensive Care Units (ICUNICU/PICU) in all the District Hospitals of Kashmir Division,” the order issued by DHSK, dated November 10 reads.
The Directorate has also appointed Dr Muzaffar Hussain Sherwani as Medical Superintendent of the Lal Ded Hospital.
Not surprised order has come from the top. This is how it should have been in first place. But now we have 2 orders, 1 from ACS and another from Dir Health. Question is which order was issued first? Meanwhile, a consultant goes and an MO replaces him as MS LD. https://t.co/F3dVUBWDtZ pic.twitter.com/erdNotgZ5f
— Mufti Islah (@islahmufti) November 12, 2021
Reports in the media suggest that the Principal GMC has shot a letter to the Health and Medical Education Department, stating that the Directorate’s order is interference in her area of functioning and control.
However, later, another order dated November 12 was issued, with the same transfers being ordered by Additional Chief Secretary Health and Medical Education, Vivek Bhardwaj.
He is reported to have said, “The MS is a consultant and therefore an employee under the Director. The DHS is well within its rights to transfer his employees.”
The questions remain. As journalist, Mufti has asked: “Who is the real boss? Who is calling shots? Why are areas of responsibilities being disrespected? Smacks of official anarchy. Can’t reduce GMC Srinagar princi as a rubber stamp. GMC runs LD, B&J, SMHS, CD and other associated hospitals. Can GMC princi post MS in Budgam, Kupwara?”Health S
