‘Dead, but promoted’: Odisha health dept transfers doctor 2 months after death; cites cholera urgency, asks officer to join immediately | Bhubaneswar News
ROURKELA: In an apparent goof-up, a block public health officer of Birkera community health centre in Sundargarh district, who died over two months ago, was promoted to additional public health officer (TB) on Thursday. As per the health department order, Dr Smruti Ranjan Samal has been transferred to Sundargarh district headquarters hospital. Samal (46), of Rourkela, fell ill about three months ago and was admitted to a private hospital. He died during treatment on April 6. Outgoing in-charge chief district medical officer (CDMO), Dr Guru Prasad Mahanta, said Samal’s demise was communicated to the health department but the letter may have been overlooked. On Thursday, an order was issued by the commissioner-cum-secretary of health department in which a number of doctors, including Samal, were promoted and transferred. The order also said the authorities concerned are requested to relieve the medical officers under their administrative control without waiting for a substitute, in order to enable them to join their new places of posting to ensure seamless functioning of the health system amid the ‘cholera outbreak’.
