Take Deterrent Action Against Doctors Refusing to Show Up In Tribal Belt of Maharashtra: Bombay High Court

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice SG Chapalgaonkar took exception to the State's submission that they can't take action against doctors who refuse to join even as intervenor pointed out there had been nearly 10,000 deaths in the State's tribal belt in the last one year.

"If that is the position, doctors will never join. The policies of the government are benevolent. The only problem is implementation. Some methodology should be developed so that they join, there should be a deterrent."

The court was hearing a petition by filed by Dr. Rajendra Burma, who is seeking specialist doctors, nutrition and health facilities for children and expectant mothers in the tribal regions of Melghat, Nandurbar and Amravati.

Intervenor Bandu Sane submitted that over 10,000 deaths were recorded in the tribal belt in this year itself. He submitted a list of posts of gynaecologists and other doctors who hadn't turned up for duty. He said that there were recommendations of the Dorje report on record, and those suffering definitely deserved doctors. He added that the tribal region doesn't have a single gynaecologist or a radiologist.

"Policies and manpower is required, your lordship," he said.

"What steps have been taken with regard to the doctors not joining? Tell us if there are doctors deployed there today," Justice Gangapurwala asked.

Additional government pleader Neha Bhide said that doctors were posted there and it was mandatory to show up for work, despite that they especially specialists were remaining absent. She said the doctors were made to sign a bond, the amount for which was increased to Rs. 1 crore for post graduate students.

"This court had directed that steps should be taken against those who haven't adhered to the bond..we have sent notices," she said, adding that the Maharashtra Public Service Commission had taken steps for filling up the vacancies.

The court then said that the grievance wasn't that doctors weren't being deputed, the problem was they weren't showing up. The ACJ expressed and urgent need develop a methodology and take deterrent action against errant doctors.

The matter will be heard next on January 19, 2023.