Pune: Despite government regulations mandating the transfer of officials and medical professionals every three to four years, some doctors and officers at Pune’s district hospital have managed to remain in their positions for over a decade. Reports indicate that they frequently use political and bureaucratic influence to reverse their transfers, raising concerns about fairness in the health department’s policies.
In September last year, the Maharashtra Health Department issued transfer orders for key medical personnel, including district surgeons, health officers, and specialists. However, some doctors reportedly had their transfers canceled within a week by leveraging connections at the state secretariat.
Repeated Transfer Cancellations Raise Concerns
A senior orthopedic specialist who had been at Pune’s district hospital for 15 years was transferred to Satara General Hospital. However, within a week, he used his influence to have the transfer revoked and returned to Pune. Similarly, an additional district surgeon who was transferred to Junnar Rural Hospital has neither vacated his government residence in Pune nor stopped working at the district hospital, where he reportedly continues to attend two days a week.
Mental Health Hospital Used as a Loophole
In another instance, a pediatrician who was transferred to Nandurbar managed to cancel the order and instead secured a post at Yerawada Regional Mental Hospital. An ICU specialist who was transferred to Satara also maneuvered to be posted at Yerawada instead. He now reportedly works at Pune District Hospital on deputation three days a week.
Meanwhile, several other doctors who lacked similar political backing had no choice but to accept their transfers, leading to accusations of favoritism and policy manipulation within the health department.
Commenting on the matter, Public Health Department Secretary Nipun Vinayak stated, “A detailed inquiry into these cases will be conducted. Additionally, we have recommended transferring a Pune-based doctor to Gadchiroli as part of the corrective measures.”