Senior Dentists in Bandipora Hospital ‘Refuse to perform Night Duties’

Suhail Rather

Bandipora, Feb 15: Senior dentists posted in District Hospital Bandipora have allegedly refused to perform night duties and instead force the Medical Superintendent to revoke the orders of 24*7 opening of the dental section.

Official sources said none of the senior doctors have performed their duties during night hours in the hospital since the day the Medical Superintendent announced the opening of a round the clock dental section in the district hospital.          “The order has not gone well with the senior doctors as they are not willing to perform night duties,” officials said.

According to the official sources, the dentists recruited under NRHM are being forced to perform extra duties while doctors recruited through JKPSC have defied the orders of the Medical Superintendent outrightly. “Every order issued by the Medical superintendent is  for NRHM staff while permanent staff hardly care about orders and work as per their own convenience,” said a paramedic.

An official said the doctors who refuse to perform night duties are running private clinics in Bandipora market  after duty hours. “That’s why they don’t want to perform night duties. Their private clinics will get affected if the dental section remains open round the clock and hence playing a spoil game”.

Sources claim that while lower-rank staff are consistently assigned night shifts, certain senior doctors have been evading their responsibilities, leading to an imbalance in duty distribution. The alleged non-compliance has sparked resentment among medical staff who adhere to duty schedules.

Residents and hospital insiders have urged authorities to strictly enforce duty rosters and ensure that no medical professional is given undue exemptions. Officials have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the allegations.

Medical Superintendent Dr Masarat Iqbal said there have been some issues with regard to the implementation of daily roosters. He said he has made arrangements for the strict implementation of the rooster. “There is no question of defying orders. We will take strict action against anyone who will try to sabotage the healthcare service”