Apollo not utilising our services: : Government doctors

Chittoor: Government doctors working at district headquarters hospital alleged that management of Apollo Hospitals was not utilising their services. It may be mentioned here that Apollo Hospitals has taken over the control of Government General Hospital here 15 months ago and it had already established a medical college at Chittoor a year ago.

The state government handed over Government Hospital to Apollo Group of Hospitals on lease for 33 years under the clinical attachment. In the last one year, Apollo management has taken over the government hospital under its control physically which is reportedly ignoring the existence of government doctors in the hospital.

A cold war brewing between Apollo and government doctors for the last few months. A few government doctors had already left the hospital on voluntary retirement. At present, there are 27 government doctors working in the hospital in all cadres while the ministerial staff has made it clear that they would not accept the dominance or interference of the Apollo management in the administrative matters.

Highlights:

• State government handed over district headquarters hospital for Apollo Hospitals on lease for 33 years under the clinical attachment
• Ministerial staff opposes the dominance of the Apollo management in the administrative matters

The Apollo management reportedly took over the administration and maintenance of government hospital.It is also learnt that district headquarters hospital is likely to be shifted to Madanapalle Area Hospital leaving the entire hospital and administration matters to the Apollo management.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Friday, Senior Medical Officer A Arun Kumar, who has been working at government hospital for the last ten years, said that the government doctors have welcomed the state government’s decision to lease government hospital for Apollo Hospitals under the clinical attachment as it will benefit patients.

“But, the Apollo Management is not interested to avail our services,” he added. Kumar stated that several doctors’ posts are lying vacant in the government hospital.

Other senior doctors like Dr Paul Ravi Kumar, Dr Pandu Rangaiah, Dr Sandhya, Dr Sirisha, Dr Latha, Dr Hari Prasad, Dr Rajendra Kumar, Administrative Officer Ananda Babu and others have demanded that the government should protect their interests. They have made it clear that they will never accept the domination of any private firm.