Chandigarh: Even as the central government is pushing for Indian systems of medicines across the country, Ayush doctors in Punjab are being made to perform menial jobs of data entry operators and tele callers, much to the chagrin of these practitioners working in the government set-up.
Due to a severe shortage of staff, the Punjab government enlisted Ayush medical officers to support the COVID-19 response efforts, entrusting them with responsibilities including testing, sampling, and contact tracing. However, as the pandemic began to subside, civil surgeons received instructions to refrain from assigning Ayush doctors to such tasks. Despite instructions, these doctors are still being assigned duties such as tele calling, telephone operations and data entry, directly disregarding the given guidelines. Notably, in a recent order issued by the deputy medical commissioner in Jalandhar, nearly 100 Ayush doctors were assigned to the control room for the month of May.
A female doctor stationed in Jalandhar control room revealed that she, along with a few others, has been assigned the task of contacting pregnant women for follow-ups, while others are required to punch in COVID testing and sampling data. Some doctors are obligated to man the helpline number, where people inquire about the availability of doctors, medicines and other information. Expressing strong opposition to the health department’s decision to assign homoeopathy and ayurvedic doctors to these roles, the NRHM Employees’ Association has raised the matter with the principal secretary of health, urging immediate intervention. Dr Inderjeet Singh Rana, state president of NRHM Employees’ Association and national president of Ayushman India, said homeopathy and ayurvedic doctors are being humiliated by asking them to perform the jobs of tele callers and data entry operators. He stated that such tasks cannot be assigned to these doctors as it is against their service rules.
He further stated that the deployment of doctors in control rooms is adversely affecting the OPDs of Ayush dispensaries. There are over 600 Ayush dispensaries in the state with an average daily footfall of 30 to 35.
“On one hand, the central government is working to spread the reach of Ayush systems while in Punjab, some officers are trying to destroy the system in the state,” he claimed and warned that they will be forced to take the path of agitation if their grievances are not redressed at earliest.
Despite repeated attempts, health minister Dr Balbir Singh and principal secretary health VP Singh were not available for comments. Dr Adarshpal Kaur, director health services, stated, “I am unaware of any instances where Ayush doctors have been assigned duties outside of their primary responsibilities. However, I will look into the matter and take necessary action.”
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