Now, 14 Basti health officials send resignation letter

LUCKNOW: Fourteen health officials who are functioning as incharges/superintendents at community health centres (CHCs) in Basti district have submitted a letter to the chief medical officer there, tendering their resignation from these administrative posts. Explaining their step, they have mentioned the difficulties they faced during Covid-19 sampling. A similar step had been taken by health officials in Varanasi last week but they had relented later.

The letter by the Basti health officials makes it clear that the resignation is only from the posts of ‘in charge/superintendents’, and not from government service. “People do not cooperate and even give fake mobile numbers, addresses during sampling. Also, they threaten to beat up medical teams and register fake cases. We are not getting any administrative support to work,” said the letter.

In Basti, the letter has been signed by 14 superintendent/ incharges. They have enumerated 11 points/issues of concern but said they will continue to render their services as doctors in the health department. “Working is becoming difficult every passing day. With no security, doctors and field staff are being threatened by people. There is no option, but to resign from administrative posts,” said Dr Amit Singh, secretary of the Provincial Medical Services Association, a body of government doctors. A final decision on the letter is yet to be taken.