Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad   

An odd combination?

By Marri Ramu

HYDERABAD Dec. 16. Can a dermatologist or an ophthalmologist treat a patient ailing from heart diseases? They cannot, obviously. But, two ophthalmologists, a dermatologist and a gynaecologist are working in the cardiology department of Government-run Osmania General Hospital (OGH).

Out of the 12 doctors working in this so-called `super speciality' wing, only four are from cardiology discipline, three from general medicine, two from ophthalmology and one each from gynaecology and dermatology.

This peculiar combination is sought to be explained by officials since as many as 42 out of the 48 posts of assistant professors in cardiology are vacant due to non-availability of qualified candidates.

``Thus, we are forced to appoint doctors of other disciplines in cardiology wings of Government hospitals'', explained the Director of Medical Education, R.S. Rama Devi. But, since the OGH is a teaching hospital, how do these doctors of unrelated faculties teach the graduates and post-graduates about cardiology? Ms. Rama Devi maintained that efforts were being made to accommodate as many doctors of general medicine into cardiology department as possible as only the latter were only alternative available to treat heart patients.

``We have no other option, as the posts are vacant and qualified doctors are not available'', she said. According to her, the gynaecologists, ophthalmologists, orthopaedicians and E.N.T. specialists were in excess to the number of sanctioned posts in the Government. For example, there are 121 gynaecologists in excess to the sanctioned posts in Government hospitals.

The Government is in a fix as it's attempt to solve the problem by increasing the seats of Doctor of Medicine in Cardiology also required more number of cardiology doctors to teach the subject, she said. Another major problem is very few students, after their specialisation in cardiology, are willing to take up the Government as they are lured by the huge returns in the private sector, it is said.

The DME said two new proposals were under the active consideration of the Government to solve the problem. Soon, the notification would be issued inviting applications for the posts of cardiologists. "If candidates fall short of posts, doctors of other States would be considered for appointment'', she said. Utilising the services of private cardiologists on contract basis is another option.

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