Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly, U.T. Khader speaking in a press conference at Circuit House, in Mangaluru on February 3, 2025.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Defending the recent order of the government to appoint MBBS doctors for the Rashtriya Bala Swastya Karyakram (RBSK) by replacing AYUSH doctors, Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader said on Monday that it was 12 years ago that AYUSH doctors were appointed to the posts meant for MBBS graduates.
Talking to reporters in Mangaluru, Mr. Khader, who was Health and Family Welfare Minister when the new Central health programme was implemented, said in absence of MBBS doctors the government then allowed the posts to be filled with AYUSH doctors.
“When MBBS doctors are available now, they need to be accommodated to the post earmarked for these graduates,” he said. Under RBSK, health teams make regular visits to schools, check health of children and timely refer children for further treatment. “People prefer MBBS doctors over AYUSH doctors for health check-up,” Mr. Khader said.
Mr. Khader was responding to demonstration by AYUSH doctors over the recent letter from the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, to Health Commissioner asking to relieve the AYUSH doctors within a month working in RBSK programme, the posts meant for MBBS graduates.
In Dakshina Kannada, there are 32 AYUSH doctors working in 16 RBSK teams. In Udupi district 12 AYUSH doctors are working in six teams. The district health officials said they are yet to receive directions from the Health Commissioner on removing AYUSH doctors.
Published – February 03, 2025 08:51 pm IST