Govt docs oppose MMC passport demand

Govt docs oppose MMC passport demand 

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai : Madras Medical College (MMC) dean has sparked a controversy by directing all doctors and paramedics to submit their passports to verify their foreign journeys taken with or without govt permission. Doctors at the medical college and govt doctors’ association have protested the move, terming it a “needless intrusion”. 

MMC dean Dr E Theranirajan had asked medical officers, nursing staff, paramedical employees, ministerial staff and other staff to furnish a copy of their passport with particulars of foreign journeys undertaken with the permission of the govt and without it. The circular issued on Aug 2 directs them to submit details to the “concerned section” on or before Aug 7. 

Hospital sources say around 250 doctors and other staff have submitted their details. Doctors who haven’t submitted argue they have been pressured by seniors to provide copies of their passports. “ They can ask for copies of passports if they suspect a person. How can they randomly ask all of us to submit passport details? Why should our document pass through so many hands,” asked a senior professor at the college. 

On Tuesday, hospital dean Dr E Theranirajan said the letter was sent based on instructions from the director of medical education, Dr J Sangumani. On June 31, deputy director of medical education (admin) K Arumugam sent a letter to all heads of medical institutions to submit details under various categories. This includes information about hospital staff with over three years of service, available positions, and unauthorised absences of doctors and paramedical staff. The letter also asked the hospital authorities to submit names of doctors who have travelled abroad with prior permission from the govt and names of doctors who haven’t, along with the action taken report. 

“I won’t be able to verify details without checking the passport. Also, I have not forced anyone to submit the passport copy,” he said. Director of Medical Education J Sangumani said, “We were collecting details a s a part of routine administration as the health secretary wanted them. But we did not ask the deans to  copies of passports.” The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors’Association, which has vehemently protested the move, has asked the DME to drop the verification process. “The circular to produce passport copy is unwarranted,” said association president Dr K S enthil. 

The DME should also ensure that the system is made less cumbersome. “It is now so difficult for doctors to get govt permission to travel on short notice. They travel abroad for seminars, conferences or personal reasons to visit a sick relative. Permission requests must be sent to the health secretary and minister through the DME,” he said.