Gujarat : Demand for Transparent Transfers at Surat Civil Hospital Triggers Administrative Debate

Surat | Gujarat — A fresh controversy has erupted over administrative accountability at Surat’s New Civil Hospital after a public representation called for the immediate transfer of several Class-1 and Class-2 officers who have reportedly been serving in the same institution for years—some for more than a decade.

The representation, submitted to Additional Chief Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Rajiv Topno, has been filed by Surat-based social worker Sanjay Ezhava, who has urged the government to strictly implement its transfer policy to ensure transparency and fair governance in public healthcare institutions.

The complaint argues that prolonged postings in the same hospital undermine administrative neutrality and raise concerns about accountability in public health services.

Long Tenures Under Scrutiny

The submission lists multiple doctors and officials allegedly stationed at New Civil Hospital Surat for extended periods, with some tenures ranging from 4 years to over 36 years. The representation claims such long postings may lead to administrative concentration and reduced oversight.

Ezhava stated in his letter, “A transparent and time-bound transfer policy is essential to maintain fairness in government hospitals. Long, uninterrupted postings create an environment where accountability weakens and public trust declines.”

Allegations of Systemic Irregularities

Beyond transfer concerns, the representation raises serious allegations regarding procurement practices, medical equipment purchases, and possible links between hospital systems and private healthcare providers. It also mentions concerns over alleged commission practices in surgeries, diagnostic procedures, and patient referrals under government health schemes such as Ayushman Bharat.

It further alleges instances where patients may have been redirected to private hospitals despite being eligible for treatment at the government facility.

“These issues require urgent investigation. If even a fraction of these concerns are true, it directly impacts poor and vulnerable patients who depend on government healthcare,” Ezhava said.

Demand for Policy Transparency

The representation makes several key demands, including:

Publication of a list of officers posted for more than three years in the same institution

Immediate implementation of rotational transfer policy across government hospitals

Disclosure of reasons in cases where transfer exemptions are granted

Strengthening of transparent administrative systems in public healthcare institutions

Ezhava has claimed that the submission is based on information obtained through the RTI Act, and has urged the state government to treat the matter with urgency.

The issue has now reached the state health administration, with growing public interest in how long-serving postings in critical hospitals are monitored.

While no official response has yet been issued, the representation has sparked renewed debate on governance standards, institutional accountability, and transparency in Gujarat’s public healthcare system.

Here are the names of the doctors mentioned in the submission:

Dr. Ketan R. Nayak

Dr. Upendra R. Chaudhary

Dr. Sumit B. Jagani

Dr. R.D. Burman

Dr. B.B. Patel

Dr. Laxman Tahiliani

Dr. Umesh Chaudhary

Dr. Vinod Warlekar

Dr. Vibhutiben Dineshbhai Dhodiya

Dr. Aarti Satishkumar Parmar

Dr. Shital A. Kherdia

Dr. Lalita U. Chaudhary

Dr. Hemangini Manishbhai Patel

Dr. Neha Rameshchandra Modi

Dr. Nisha V. Chandra

Dr. Bharatbhai Hargovindbhai Chavda

Dr. Tushar Govindbhai Patel

Smt. Gurpreetkaur Chhabra