Rohit Shishodia
Specialist doctors in Geriatric Medicine have expressed concern over the withdrawal of the lone post of Geriatric Medicine Professor in PGI-Chandigarh, which was advertised in January 2019.

This was the only post of Geriatric Medicine among all specialities, and that too has been withdrawn by the authorities of the institute.

The doctors pointed out that the union cabinet recently cleared a 250-bedded center dedicated for elderly patients. They say that not recruiting a doctor in Geriatric Medicine will not strengthen geriatric care. They ask how they will run a centre when there is no specialist doctor.

A doctor associated with the Department of Geriatric Medicine, Delhi-AIIMS, told DTMT, “PGI-Chandigarh should readvertise the post so that MDs of Geriatric Medicine from different institutes should join there. Many doctors who have completed their MD in Geriatric Medicine from Delhi-AIIMS are looking for jobs.

The doctor said that if PGI-Chandigarh appoints them before the centre comes up, the doctors will provide inputs for the institute.

“What will happen if an institute like PGI-Chandigarh does not recruit them? This is happening at a time when the government has approved the dedicated centre for the elderly in the institute,” said the doctor.

He explained, “There is no doctor of Geriatric Medicine currently serving in PGI-Chandigarh and you are going to set up 250-bedded dedicated centre. We demand that the government should re-advertise the lone Professor of Geriatric Medicine post.”

The doctor’s views are echoed by other MDs in Geriatric Medicine in  Delhi-AIIMS.