Doctors criticise VIP culture, writes to PM about home calls by politicians for Covid test

April 13: In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 12 April, Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA Doctors Association), wrote about the prevalence of VIP culture in government hospitals of the country. In the letter, it was stated that politicians often call them home for testing and treatment amid coronavirus, which is not a norm.

The Doctors Association wrote, “Doctors being at the forefront of this epidemic are risking their own lives but what we receive in return is standing in long queues for Covid testing,no bed or ICU availability when tested positive for our own self and the priority is given to all the so-called politicians and their party workers who have actually held rallies and increased the spread of virus. Central govt hospitals have VIP counters for testing allowing all party workers of politicians and ministers to get themselves tested but doctors have no separate counter for testing.”

They further alleged, “Even when VIP counter is available for Covid testing, majority of politicians call doctors at their residence which has no legal order from Medical Superintendent but is happening informally using the doctors working in govt set up and thus further reducing and wasting the limited manpower available.”

The doctors strongly opposed this VIP culture being awarded to politicians, bureaucrats, party workers etc and sought the intervention of the Prime minister into this matter.