Mass transfer orders of doctors issued to cover health ministry’s mismanagement, BMA alleges  

The recent mass transfer order of doctors was issued to divert the focus from the health ministry’s poor management, controlling condition and reckless bureaucracy, alleged Bangladesh Medical Association.

“The order of mass transfer of doctors from your ministry [Ministry of Health and Family welfare] has surprised everyone. Following the order, instability, dysfunction and incompetence of the ministry have manifested itself,” The apex body of doctors said in a letter to the ministry. 

Earlier, the Health Services Division in a circular dated Jul 4 and 5 ordered the transfer of over 1,230 doctors to different hospitals across the country to fight the coronavirus pandemic amid the new Covid peak.

How the ministry could address such a pandemic in the country which is unable to issue a specific and benevolent office order, BMA questioned the health ministry in the letter which was also shared with media on Friday.

“We are concerned because whenever the failure and poor performance of the health ministry in addressing the pandemic come to light, then the ministry tries to impose all the responsibilities on the shoulders of doctors in order to divert the focus from the ministry,” it continued.

BMA largely blamed the ‘reckless bureaucracy’ behind issuing the order that created much criticism among physicians and other frontline medical workers, it added.

The transfer order also created a ridiculous situation as it had ordered dead and retired doctors, it mentioned.

Physicians who have not been practicing for outdoor patients for a long time, especially those who were working in the ‘basic subject and blood transfusion department, have also been transferred to extend Covid duties, BMA said terming it preposterous on medical ground.

“In order to control the pandemic situation we need an integrated activity, where the advice of relevant experts is essential. But the bureaucracy has become so reckless that they are doing whatever they want,” they alleged. 

Physicians and other health staffers have been dedicatedly extending their duties to address the pandemic situation, and at least 160 doctors died in the pandemic while many have been infected and facing burnout due to over duties.

However, except a few government doctors, no private doctors and health workers have been provided the government announced incentive, BMA said, adding that even the quarantine period of doctors have been cancelled which manifold the infections among doctors and their family members, it added.

The BMA has urged the government to immediately cancel the controversial order and punish the involved officials.

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