Demands, missed deadline and threat to halt TUTH services

JUN 25 -

Doctors at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) are up in arms for the past eight months. They have been demanding that the vacant posts of the Dean, two assistant Deans, campus chief and assistant campus chief be filled on the basis of seniority and work experience in the institution, rather than through political appointment or affiliation. Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai had on May 14 asked the irate doctors to stop their protests, promising to fulfil their demands. A three-member committee was formed to recommend the ‘senior-most and experienced’ person for the post of the Dean by the second week of June.  However, the committee has failed to meet the deadline and the doctors have resumed their protest, planning to shut down all hospital services except the inpatient and the emergency departments from Monday. Manish Gautam spoke to officials on this.

‘Govt turned a deaf ear’

Dr Dinesh Pokhrel

President, TU Teachers’ Association, Maharajgunj unit

What exactly are you protesting?

We have been asking the government to fill key vacant posts not through political appointments but on the basis of candidates’ seniority and work experience in the institution. Key posts of the Dean, two assistant Deans, campus chief and assistant campus chief are lying vacant.

What about the plan to indefinitely shut down all services except the inpatient and the emergency departments from Monday?

We waited for eight whole months. During this period, we protested either by picketing the Dean’s office or by wearing black bands around our arms. We also staged a number of sit-ins. However, the government turned a deaf ear to our demands. Although it is disheartening, we will be forced to close the services if the government fails to address our demands by midnight (Sunday).

Two years ago, the TUTH was shut for 19 days, leaving hundreds of patients in the lurch. Once again, the doctors are up in arms. Why is this institution so prone to protests?

Two years ago, we questioned the way the entrance examinations were held. Even a high-level probe committee accused the Institute of Medicine (IoM) Dean’s Office of being involved in irregularities in the entrance examinations for admission for Post Graduate studies. Presently, our struggle is primarily focused on political appointments. We are struggling to save this reputed institution from people who are trying to tarnish its image.

Who will be held responsible if anything goes wrong with the patients owing to the lack of treatment?

It is a known fact that without a serious protest the government never listens to anyone. Although we are not in favour of shutting down the institution indefinitely, we have been compelled by the authorities to take this step. Therefore, it is the office bearers and the government that should be held responsible.

‘I am squeaky clean’

Dr Arun Sayami

Acting Dean, Institute of Medicine

What is your take on the present protests by doctors of the IoM?

Around eight months have gone by since my tenure ended. But I have been given the responsibility to carry on with my job until and unless a new appointment is made. During this period, I have brought about much changes that have been beneficial to the public. However, the people of my institution have shown reservations over my ‘reforms’. Also, theoretically, I am in support of their demand to appoint candidates on a seniority basis and not through political appointments. However, I have no role to play in appointing the Dean. They need to protest in front of the Vice-Chancellor’s office, not mine.

You have been criticised by many for providing medical seats haphazardly to many medical colleges.

This is all propaganda to tarnish my image. I don’t want to comment on this.

The probe committee formed two years ago to investigate the entrance examination irregularities had found the Dean’s office guilty. The affiliations you have given to medical colleges have also been constantly questioned. You are a reputed cardiologist and an academic in your own right. Since you are under a lot of pressure to step down, why don’t you do so on moral grounds?

As I said earlier, I am doing the task assigned to me and I have carried out my responsibilities well. The protesting doctors need to stop their bickering against one individual and instead, take it to the authorities concerned. It is better that they perform their duties earnestly instead of shutting down the hospital and affecting patients.

You say that these people are against you. Why would an entire institution want you to step down had you not made mistakes in the past?

I don’t think I have made mistakes. I have done my job sincerely and I know what I am doing. Instead of going after my ‘chair’, they should concentrate on their duties. These guys have shut down the hospital in the past too, affecting hundreds of patients. And they have not learned any lesson. The move they are resorting to is condemnable.

 

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/06/25/capital/demands-missed-deadline-and-threat-to-halt-tuth-services/356114/