Bangalore:
The next time you visit any of the 31 hospitals under Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) and experience poor service, blame it on the civic body which has permitted half its doctors to pursue higher studies for two years, in violation of the Karnataka Civil Services (KCSA) Act, 1978.
As many as 15 doctors, out of the 29 working for BBMP, have been sanctioned study leaves this year, leaving patients with little medical attention. What more, the doctors on leave continue to draw their salaries during their absence from work.
Earlier this year, the BBMP had relieved 11 doctors for pursuing further studies. Many of these doctors enrolled in post-graduate programmes. Now, it is sending four more doctors -- Dr Veda, Dr Sandya, Dr Kalavathi and Dr Sunitha, who are all set to pursue a Master's degree in Public Health (MPH) from Padmashree Hospital near Vijaynagar, according to sources. Curiously, this hospital is not recognised, and cannot conduct this programme legally.
"According to the KCSA Act, the Palike cannot exceed 5% of the sanctioned permanent staff, which is 91. At the moment, the BBMP has 29 doctors on its rolls. At a time of severe crunch in the medical staff, the BBMP appears to have no compunction in letting even more doctors take study leave. Each doctor is, at present, looking after three to four hospitals. There are also other administrative responsibilities that the doctors are required to take up.
The BBMP, said the sources, is giving Rs 4 lakh as fees to each doctor for their MPH course.
"The doctors are supposed to pursue their higher studies with their own money if they want to do it from an unrecognised medical college. But here, the BBMP will be paying fees. Even doctors on deputation to the BBMP have been permitted leave, and the BBMP has been meeting their expenses towards education too," said a source, adding that this was misuse of public money.
The BBMP has violated another KCSA Act rule by sending the doctors to pursue the MPH course at Padmashree Hospital, which is not recognised. "The only medical college recognised for MPH course in the country is Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology at Thiruvananthapuram," said the source.
Sources claimed the study leave was sanctioned under political pressure. "Last year, a doctor's request for higher studies was rejected even though she was a senior doctor. Now, four doctors have been given leave and salary," said a source.
BBMP commissioner Siddaiah said, "The doctors were very enthusiastic about higher studies. So we gave them permission to study."
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