Dr Ajay Kumar speaks at the meeting of BHSA in Patna on Sunday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, Jan. 30: Members of Bihar Health Services Association (BHSA) expressed anger over increased administrative interference in the functioning of doctors in Bihar.

The doctors had gathered to participate in the general meeting of the BHSA — the largest body of government doctors in the state — at IMA hall in the capital today.

“In recent times, there have been a number of incidents where doctors and doctors-in-charge of district and block-level hospitals have been unnecessarily harassed by administrative officials like the district magistrate. This is absolutely intolerable. Those doctors who are not found discharging their works dutifully should be reigned in but no one has the right to harass the doctors without a valid reason,” said Dr Ajay Kumar, convener, BHSA.

In-charge of a block-level primary health centre recalled a recent incident when a district magistrate had abused the health workers, nurses and civil surgeon of the district and reportedly tried to force him to take action against his sub-ordinates on charges of negligence of duty.

“I refused to give in to the pressure and as a result I am being continuously targeted by the official. But the point is that no district head should feel as aristocratic as to use foul language or behave badly with anyone, especially the doctors who are on such responsible posts. These incidents are being reported from various corners of the state where over-enthusiastic bureaucrats are torturing the doctors. All doctors should unite and bring such behaviours to a stop,” said the doctor.

BHSA’s demands included recruitment of more doctors in government health services, increase in retirement age from 60 to 65 and proper investigation into cases against doctors before any action against them. The members also demanded that doctors working in rural areas be given 25 per cent of the salary as rural allowances as per National Rural Health Mission recommendations.