A day after an infant died of medical negligence in Ballia, the health department, it is learnt, is contemplating to amend a GO which authorises pharmacists to give injection to patients in government hospitals.
While it is an established norm that doctors are forced to depend on lower staff for administering injection and providing first aid to patients, trained nurses often cite the said GO and refuse to administer injection.
“Since pharmacists remain busy in maintaining drug store and distribution of medicines prescribed by doctors, they can’t be expected to administer injection to patients,” said a health department officer.
“This leaves the doctors with no choice but to depend on lower staff for providing first aid and injection to patients,” he added.
Meanwhile, additional director, health, Varanasi has sent his report on the death of the eight-year-old baby in Ballia hospital to DG, health. Sources said action was likely to be taken against the chief medical officer (CMO), chief medical superintendent (CMS), medical officer and other staff of the hospital.
Director, medical care, Dr BS Arora said the health department has also decided to intensify its drive against quacks. The assistance of the state police was being taken to register FIR against unautho- rised medicine practitioners.
{{/usCountry}}Director, medical care, Dr BS Arora said the health department has also decided to intensify its drive against quacks. The assistance of the state police was being taken to register FIR against unautho- rised medicine practitioners.
{{/usCountry}}“The Allahabad high court in its recent order too has directed the health department to take strict action against quacks and untrained medical practitioners,” he said.
Though over 70,000 quacks have been identified in the state, experts feel the number is much higher.
Here again, a rule, which says that FIR against the quack is to be lodged by doctor who holds the charge of the CMO, is coming in the way of checking the menace.
Whenever the case is taken up for hearing, the named CMO, even if he was posted in another district or promoted to higher post, had to appear in the court.
“To protect themselves from court appearances and harassments, the CMOs are taking least interest in the drive against quacks,” said an official.