Docs for residential programme plan protest

HYDERABAD: Doctors in the PG courses posted under the District Residency Programme (DPR) raised concerns over the lackadaisical approach of the state government in providing safe accommodation to them. They have called for a statewide protest from April 11 as a last resort.

According to the orders issued by the director of medical education Dr K. Ramesh Reddy dated March 10, the District Residency Programme was to commence from March 20 for the postgraduate batch of 2021-22. However, due to lack of accommodation and food facilities for the residents in the DRP, the programme was postponed to April 1, and even after the delay in the programme, there were no appropriate arrangements for the doctors.

As per the guidelines issued by the National Medical Commission (NCM) dated January 19, 2023, the Commission clearly stated that “The State Government shall provide appropriate amenities to the District Residents, including, amongst others, suitable accommodation, transportation to the workplace (if living quarters are faraway), security, especially for lady residents. Accommodation could be by means of government premises or that rented by the concerned state government and should conform to prescribed norms”.

Dr Kaushik Kumar Pinjarla, president of the Junior Doctors' Association (JUDA), speaking to Deccan Chronicle said, “As per the NMC directions, the state government has to provide accommodation and food facilities during the residency programme. We met the state authorities to resolve the issue in March. We also requested to opt for postings in hometowns in case there were no accommodation facilities as it is very difficult to travel 150 kms every day or at least to provide travel allowance. The health minister had then assured an allowance and accommodation but nothing has been done so far”.

Out of the batch of 98 residents from the Osmania Medical College Sangareddy, around 56 were women and were not willing to risk their safety at the cost of the DRP.

A lady doctor specializing in general medicine studying in Osmania Medical College said, “We are somehow managing to arrange for car-pooling as of now which is around Rs 800 for each person one way. We are unable to focus on our duties as well as our studies because of these issues”.

There were others who opted for public transport as they could not afford private transport mode.

“We start at 7 am from our hostel and take a metro to Miyapur, after which we have to take a bus to Sangareddy. One way travel expenses amount to approx Rs 250. It takes more than three hours to reach the hospital. We also have to spend on food as there are no food facilities at the hospitals where we are on duty”, said another lady doctor, a postgraduate gynaecology student.

The night shifts are also to commence soon, which has also raised alarming concerns for female residents in case no safe arrangements are made till the time.

Moreover, the stipend for February and March and a 15% hike on the stipend was also pending.

There was no official word from the authorities, including the director of medical education Reddy, the health secretary or the health minister on the issue.