Ajay Sharma
Sunderbani, May 30: Local Doctors are lobbying hard for the post of the Block Medical Officer (BMO), the post that would be vacated by the present incumbent next month. Sources say a local aspirant is contacting influential leaders of the BJP and a senior bureaucrat in Delhi to secure his home posting.
Many residents in Sunderbani have raised serious concerns over the alleged politicization of the posting of new Block Medical Officer (BMO) at Sub District Hospital (SDH) Sunderbani, claiming that canvassing by local doctor will be detrimental for the smooth and impartial functioning of the hospital.
According to sources, all attempts are being made by a local doctor to get accommodated as new BMO at the SDH Sunderbani.
“The incumbent BMO is likely to superannuate in coming days, so a local doctor is making all possible attempts to get the post,” said sources, adding that however, local public is not in favour of the same, as they claimed that local BMO will not be good for the hospital and will allegedly indulge in the culture of favoritism and neglect, leading to deteriorating conditions at the hospital.
Sources shared that history is testimony to the fact that local BMOs have always worked for the welfare of his close circles instead of the hospital.
“We have seen in the past that local BMOs have provided choice postings to their favourites and relatives, keeping hospital and patients as the least priority,” said sources, adding that BMOs willfully attached staff for personal benefits, compromising the hospital's functionality.
Sources maintained that key positions under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), Nurse Officers (NO), and staff nurses have reportedly been allocated based on favoritism rather than merit.
“In one of the previous incidents, the ex-Deputy Chief Minister had to step in to dismantle what was described as a monopoly orchestrated by the BMO, pointing to the severity of the issue,” said sources.
Sources said that the local public has apprehensions that in case local BMO is posted in the SDH, it will allegedly encourage relatives and local staff to engage in private practice, undermining the quality of public healthcare services.
However, sources alleged that a senior bureaucrat in Delhi, following dictates from a senior politician, has also influenced the authorities for posting the lobbyist as BMO.
“The local community is advocating for the appointment of a non-local BMO. They believe this move would disrupt the entrenched interests of certain local doctors, staff, and chemist owners who are perceived to prioritize personal gain over public welfare,” alleged sources.
