Kerala Doctors Refuse to Conduct Food Testing for VIP Visit Due to Unusual Directive

The state health department in Kerala issued an unusual directive deputing three government doctors as 'food testing officers' during Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar's visit to Ernakulam on Sunday and Monday. The doctors were expected to ensure the quality of food served to the VIP, but they refused to attend the duty, citing that food testing should be done by professionally qualified people from the field of food science, not practicing doctors.

Key Takeaways:

• The state health department in Kerala issued a directive deputing three government doctors as 'food testing officers' during Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar's visit to Ernakulam.
• The doctors, including an assistant surgeon, a woman medical officer, and another medical officer, were asked to report for food tasting at different locations, including CAFS, Nedumbassery, Aluva guest house, and Ernakulam guest house.
• The doctors refused to attend the duty, citing that food testing should be done by professionally qualified people from the field of food science, not practicing doctors.
• The Kerala Govt Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) protested against the directive, stating that it was not within their domain or expertise.
• The district medical authorities did not insist on the doctors reporting for the duty after receiving the protest from the KGMOA.
• The KGMOA functionary stated that they will not take up such duties in the future, as it is not within their expertise or domain.

Statistics:

• 3 government doctors were deputed as 'food testing officers' during the VIP visit.
• The doctors were expected to ensure the quality of food served to the VIP.
• The Kerala Govt Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) protested against the directive, stating that it was not within their domain or expertise.

Sources:

*"T'puram: Doctors turned food testers under new directive", a news article from TIMES NEWS NETWORK, T'puram, with no specified date.