Malkangiri: As the coronavirus situation in Ganjam district continues to be grim, the state government has transferred as many as ten doctors from Malkangiri to Ganjam district to aid its COVID fight.
The district Congress,however, took strong exception to the government’s move stating that the government has neglected the needs of Malkangiri’s tribal population.
In a press release, District Congress Committee president Govind Patra and working president Ram Patnaik termed the move as the state government’s instance of neglecting the tribals of Malkangiri district yet again.
The COVID situation n Malkangiri is also critical with the district reeling under increasing caseload. At a time when both the state government and the district administration have failed to keep the situation under control, the transfer of ten doctors is nothing but a gimmick, the Congress said.
Already 100 doctors from undivided Koraput and Kalahandi districts have already been deputed to Ganjam district.
“93 doctors have been appointed in Malkangiri district as against a total 197 sanctioned posts. Similarly, 20 percent of the total health workers appointed in the district are yet to be appointed. In such a situation, the doctors and health workers are somehow managing the scene. Even though the district health department had told the state health department in written that doctors is not in a position to part with its doctors, the state government has deputed ten doctors to Ganjam,” they added.
People living in tribal dominated pockets in the district are still deprived of medical facilities. Ambulance service is still elusive for these people. Cases of patients and women in labour pain being carried in cots or slings are legion. Incidents of these patients dying on the way occur at regular intervals.
Yet ten doctors have been transferred from here. We have strongly condemned this. If the order is not withdrawn and the doctors are not reinstated, we will be forced to resort to strike and agitation in the coming days,” they threatened.
PNN