Growing Reluctance Raises Concerns for Health Officials
Vijayawada: A significant number of government doctors in Andhra Pradesh are refusing promotions, raising concerns for Health Minister Y Satya Kumar Yadav.
The issue became evident during the recent promotion process for District Coordinators of Health Services (DCHS), where 50 out of 85 eligible doctors (59%) declined the promotion, despite six existing vacancies and two more expected soon. A similar trend was seen in professor promotions, with 33% of eligible doctors refusing the role.
DCHS: A Key but Undermined Role
DCHSs oversee 224 healthcare facilities across the state, including Community Health Centres, District, and Area Hospitals. Doctors qualify for this role after three years as Civil Surgeon Specialists (CSS) and at least two years before retirement.
Current DCHS vacancies exist in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, and Prakasam districts, with additional openings expected in Nellore and Chittoor soon.
Why Are Doctors Reluctant?
Health Minister Yadav has ordered an inquiry into the increasing refusal of promotions in both secondary and tertiary healthcare.
Senior officials believe many doctors are unwilling to relocate from their preferred postings. The existing system allows doctors to decline promotions indefinitely, enabling them to wait for more favorable locations.
Administrative Challenges and Pressure
Dr. D Jayadheer Babu, President of the Andhra Pradesh Government Doctors’ Association, pointed to administrative challenges as a major factor.
- Unrealistic Patient Targets: Officials reportedly pressure doctors to meet patient quotas, which many find unethical. “A patient seeks treatment when they are unwell. Penalizing doctors for not meeting quotas is unfair,” Dr. Jayadheer stated.
- Diminished Authority: DCHSs often find themselves bypassed, as higher officials directly contact frontline doctors via video conferences, undermining their role.
- Lack of Official Powers: Despite being a district-level post, DCHSs lack key decision-making authority, a designated office, and adequate manpower, making the role less appealing.
Professors Also Declining Promotions
A similar reluctance is seen in professor promotions. Dr. Jayadheer highlighted the absence of a structured promotion and transfer calendar as a key deterrent. “If promotions and transfers followed a fixed schedule, more doctors would accept them,” he explained.
He also noted that while teachers’ associations are consulted for transfer policies, healthcare professionals are not given a platform to discuss their concerns. “We are ready to present our views if the government opens discussions on these issues,” he added.
Government’s Next Steps
Despite the reluctance, nine doctors have accepted DCHS promotions against the six vacancies, with two more expected soon. The health minister approved these promotions on Friday.
With mounting refusals, the government is now considering policy reforms to ensure smoother promotions and better incentives for doctors in administrative roles.
