Mahiti Hakku Jagruiti Vedike (MHJV), a group of activists of the Right to Information Act (RTI) are now objecting to the practices of post graduate (PG) doctors preferring to work at the government medical colleges rather than assume practice at the district hospitals, taluk medical units and Primary Health Centres (PHCs) which are having vacancies.

There are over 140 PG medical specialists in Karnataka who have passed out after securing admission under government allotted seats. They are found queuing up for any post at the medical schools. The rule is that these doctors will have to serve at the state-owned medical centres and not at medical colleges after their post graduation. Instead the candidates use their political contacts and financial muscle to seek deputation at the government medical colleges mostly in Bangalore and Mysore. After getting the job, these doctors have gone ahead to establish their private practice which includes opening up of nursing homes and clinics. The doctors are found to undertake their own practice during the working hours of the medical colleges, according to MHJV investigations.

This is objectionable because it is a serious offence as Government doctors are banned from private service. Not only that, there is a serious shortage of medical experts which is estimated currently at 200 vacancies in the district and taluk hospitals, stated JSD Pani, president, Mahiti Hakku Jagruiti Vedike.

The State Directorate of health and family welfare has noted that there is excessive staffing at the government medical colleges and has been planning to relocate the PG doctors to the district and taluk hospitals. However, with the medical colleges coming under the purview of the State medical education department makes it impossible for such re-posting.

To make matters impossible for relocation, the Karnataka Cabinet recently approved the absorption of a section of doctors from the hospitals coming under the Karnataka Health & Family Welfare department to the Medical Education department. The related files are now in the process of being cleared. This creates further pressure on the state-owned hospitals because many doctors will now get a chance to work at the medical colleges stated Pani.

"There is a clear indication of massive corruption charges because there has been no objection from the minister of the health & family welfare during this move. When the health department is facing a serious shortfall of doctors, the silence on the part of the minister is a room for ample suspicion, pointed out Pani.

Now the MHJV is looking to take action on the same. It is working towards informing the Karnataka Lokayukta who can swoop down on the offenders under the Section Service: Schedule II of the Karnataka Lokayukta Act, stated Pani.