Tribals protest against transfer of Malda doctor

Statesman News Service

MALDA, 30 SEPT: A large number of tribal residents of Chanchal in Malda district today demonstrated in front of the assistant chief medical officer of health (ACMOH) Dr Swapan Biswas’s office, urging him to cancel the transfer order of a tribal doctor Dr Swapan Soren, is posted at the Chanchal-II block primary health centre (BPHC).

According to health department officials, Dr Soren has been promoted and transferred as block medical officer of health (BMOH) at Habibpur, which too is a tribal dominated block.

Seniors of the tribal community like Mr Nimai Soren, Mr Benoy Besra, and Mr Babulal Besra claimed that Dr Swapan Soren should not be transferred from Chanchal in the interest of the tribal and common people for his outstanding services in the area.

“Then there are some practical problems like the language barrier. As doctor Soren is a tribal himself, it is easier for the tribal patients to communicate with him. In addition to that, Dr Soren is a good doctor and committed to the cause. People of the seven gram panchayats of Chanchal-II block have been well served by him which is why they are demanding a stay on his transfer order,” they said.

The demonstrators also sent a copy of their deputation to the chief medical officer of health (CMOH) today.

Health department officials, however, said that the Chanchal-II BPHC had six doctors whereas five doctors were enough to run the centre. Neither the ACMOH, nor the CMOH were available for comment.