Jain backs junior docs, urges to give them responsibilities

Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Sunday called for an urgent need in the change of attitude among doctors at government hospitals. He said this at a convention while referring to the grievances of resident doctors, who have often complained about disparity in pay and lack of security.   

“For long, we have created a self-serving system, in which we only think about our benefits and entitlements, and in turn, fail to think of others,” said Jain. 

The minister asserted that there is no shortage of doctors at government hospitals, adding that a system prevailed in society, wherein resident doctors even after completing MBBS are not seen as doctors and more importance is laid on the presence of senior doctors. 

Citing the example of the Maulana Azad Medical College, Jain said the number of doctors listed on campus is 272. However, if resident doctors are taken into consideration, the total strength is 1,500. The minister highlighted that the number of doctors in the medical college is more than that of the total number of medical staff in Odisha. 

Besides, Jain appealed to senior doctors to be more accountable, visible and not create a system, wherein resident doctors are entrusted with responsibilities or motivated to take up initiatives. He urged junior doctors not to be scared of seniors. "Even after completing MBBS, a doctor is expected to undergo a lot of academic training, than focus on operations, for a long time," he said.

Jain held that there is lack of motivation among the junior medical staff and in most of the cases, they are treated as mere "administration supervisors". "You are ultimately doctors, who are there to treat patients, and not supervisors assigned to check toilets and other things," the minister said. 

The minister also criticised the hospital staff, who refrained from their duties. 

The minister said, “In our hospitals, many nurses do not even know how to collect samples and perform the role of a housekeeper efficiently.”

Jain also lashed out at lobbies, who always threaten strike and ensure inefficiency at government hospitals, which cater to a large population in Delhi and NCR areas.  “Ultimately, a change is needed and we must come out of inertia,” he said.