The dean of Mumbai's state-run Sir JJ Hospital has formally requested the city's civic chief to cancel election duty assignments for a large group of its medical staff, highlighting a critical conflict between electoral processes and essential healthcare services.
Official Request to Civic Commissioner
Dr. Ajay Bhandarwar, the dean of the prominent JJ Hospital in Byculla, wrote to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner, who also serves as the district election officer. The appeal, made in response to a communication from the commissioner dated December 22, seeks the cancellation of poll work for 134 doctors and allied staff members from the attached medical college.
Patient Care and Admissions at Stake
In his letter, Dr. Bhandarwar presented a compelling case for the exemption. He emphasized that the Sir JJ Group of Hospitals serves a huge number of poor and needy patients from across Maharashtra, both as outpatients and those admitted for inpatient care. Diverting a significant portion of the teaching and medical staff for election duties would directly hinder these vital services.
Furthermore, the dean pointed out that the admission process for undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses is currently underway. The involvement of key teaching staff in election work would disrupt this crucial academic function, potentially affecting the future of medical education at the institution.
Legal Grounds for Exemption
Strengthening his appeal, Dr. Bhandarwar attached a relevant directive from the Maharashtra State election authorities. The letter from the under secretary and deputy chief electoral officer clearly states that as government hospitals are classified as essential services, their staff are legally exempt from being deployed for election duty. This provision is intended to ensure that critical public health infrastructure continues to function without interruption during the electoral period.
The move underscores the ongoing tension between the logistical demands of conducting large-scale elections and the uninterrupted operation of essential public services, particularly in a major healthcare hub like JJ Hospital.
