IAS Association in Kerala is at loggerheads with Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) over treatment of nail infection inflicted to Thiruvananthapuram collector Geromic George, a 2015-batch IAS officer.
The district collector had summoned medical officer to his home for treating nail fungal infection when more than 200 patients were waiting in the outpatient clinic of General Hospital.
The doctor initially discouraged collector's demand but then the collector allegedly intimidated the doctor to treat him at home. The doctor was made to wait for an hour at the collector's before he could attend him, causing further dealy for patients waiting at the general hospital.
The KGMOA is protesting the act alleging abuse of power while IAS Association has written letter to chief secretary Dr V Venu urging action against the protesting doctors.
According to rules passed by Parliament, there is a provision for doctors to visit home of civil servants and their family members. The medical officer can decide when to go and reimbursement facility is also available even if treatment is provided at home.This provision is also applicable in central service as per section 3 and 8 of civil services rule.
The association has also objected to the publicising of collector's illness, which should have been kept confidential.
The chief secretary Dr V Venu said that decision on this issue will be taken after getting the factual report from health secretary.
The KGMOA, on the other hand hand claimed that the health secretary has spoken with the collector and assured that such incidentals will not happen in future.
Earlier, KGMOA accused the collector of abusing his position. “It is highly objectionable that the collector abused his power by demanding treatment at home when patients were waiting to see the doctor. We will be forced to start protests if the doctors are treated this way,” said a statement from KGMOA.
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