Health dept gives charge of Bhandara district hosp to inexperienced doctor

Nagpur: In a surprising move, the health department has handed over the charge of Bhandara district general hospital civil surgeon’s post to a clinical officer, bypassing seniors and administrative-level officers in the district as well as the revenue division.
The state government had suspended civil surgeon (CS) Dr Pramod Khandate among others over their alleged negligence which led to the death of 10 premature babies in the sick newborn care unit (SNCU) on January 9.
Orthopaedic specialist Dr Piyush Jakkal has been holding the charge of Bhandara CS after Khandate’s suspension and subsequent transfer to Wardha.
Officials said CS-cadre candidates working as superintendents at primary health centres and sub-district hospitals in Bhandara and the five other districts in Nagpur division were better options while handing over the charge of the hospital, which is now going through a crucial phase.
Additional CS Dr Sunita Badhe too has been transferred to Sindhudurg as a punishment for the alleged negligence. Dr Badhe’s transfer to Sindhudurg is being seen as a harsh action as compared to others.
Acting on the 8-member inquiry panel report, the government had also terminated paediatrician Dr Sushil Ambade and in-charge sisters Smita Ambilduke and Shubhangi Satawane on January 21. They were on contract. Medical officer Dr Archana Meshram and in-charge sister Jyoti Haraskar were suspended.
Bhandara IMA president Dr Nitin Turaskar said civil surgeon is a responsible post and must be given to a senior person. “Handling a big hospital like this requires more skills. It is highly specialized job as it requires a lot of multitasking,” he said.
Dr Turaskar added that the administrative officer of the hospital has been conspicuous by absence in the entire affair. “The duties of this officer must be defined and displayed so that liability can be fixed,” he said.
A senior officer told TOI that Dr Jakkal was chosen as he held the additional charge when the regular civil surgeon was away on official tours or leaves in the last five years. “A senior doctor was asked but he refused to take up the task and hence Dr Jakkal was given the role. He has a fair idea of the post. This is only a stopgap arrangement and he knows the hospital and its issues well,” the officer said.