Mandi (Munish Sood)
The recent transfers ordered by the Himachal Pradesh government of five doctors from the Mandi Zonal Hospital, including chemotherapy specialist Dr Puneet Malhotra, has left cancer patients of the region in distress.
Dr Malhotra, the only trained chemotherapy doctor in the hospital, had been providing much-needed care to patients for the past six months after undergoing specialised training.
This decision has disrupted the lives of patients who were previously spared the burden of frequent visits to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla. Now, many will either face expensive private treatment or endure long-distance travel for care.
Patients across districts face hardship
The Mandi Zonal Hospital serves as a regional hub for neighbouring districts, including Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and Bilaspur.
The transfer of Dr Malhotra means that cancer patients across these areas will struggle with logistical and financial challenges. For many, access to timely chemotherapy will become an uphill battle, leading to increased distress for families.
Promises by State Cancer Advisory Board not kept
The state government had recently emphasised its commitment to improving cancer care by forming a State Cancer Advisory Board under the leadership of Dr Dinesh Pandrekar and Dr. Chander Mauli Tripathi.
The initiative included training selected doctors in advanced cancer treatments at top facilities in Faridabad and Ujjain.
During a meeting with the Cancer Advisory Board, the Secretary of Health had assured that doctors who received training in cancer and chemotherapy would not be transferred before completing a tenure of five years.
However, the abrupt transfer of Dr Malhotra has violated this assurance, raising serious concerns about the government’s intent and planning.
Impact on patient welfare
Members of the Advisory Board have expressed concern over this sudden move, stating that transferring trained specialists undermines efforts to strengthen local cancer care.
Cancer patients, who had welcomed the hospital’s chemotherapy facility as a ray of hope, are now back to square one.
The lack of stable healthcare policies has once again highlighted gaps in the system, leaving vulnerable patients at the mercy of limited and expensive options.
