Doctors seek better vehicle for convoy duty

Stating that 45-year-old Dr Arulsevam, Assistant Professor of Cardiology, Chengalpattu Medical College, was on his way to duty, Dr A Ramalingam, state organising secretary, Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association, (SDPGA), said, “Two teams of doctors and specialists are usually deputed from Stanley Medical College Hospital, Kilpauk Medical College or Madras Medical College on a rotation basis. While one team goes with the VIP, the other team follows suit in the 108 ambulance. It is unnecessary and usually very uncomfortable for us. Doctors should not be made to attend the convoy duty in 108 ambulance and instead, a separate SUV vehicle should be provided.”

Doctors are, on an average, sent for convoy duty twice or thrice a month, which is much fewer than was the case earlier.

“Depending on the purpose of the visit of the respective VIP, doctors spend a minimum of three to four hours to a maximum of 24 hours on the duty. Our only request is that we be provided better vehicles for the same,” added Dr Ramalingam, adding that they are usually asked to accompany the Chief Minister and Governor and sometimes Chief Ministers of other states, the Prime Minister and the President.

“While it is the government’s duty to provide security and safety, the doctors should be given adequate leave, compensation and remuneration for it. Special vehicles should also be provided,” said Dr G R Ravindranath, general secretary, Doctors’ Association for Social Equality. SDPGA members expressed their condolences to the family of the deceased and demanded that a compensation of Rs 10 crore be given to his family. “We are not asking the government to compensate doctors, but to create a Corpus fund immediately for government doctors,” added Dr Ramalingam.