STAFF WELFARE – A TOP PRIORITY

WHILE I HAVE enumerated various reasons for the Goa Medical College getting adverse publicity, at the same time it becomes my duty to suggest remedial measures. However, these suggestions are purely my personal suggestions and do not in any way represent the government policy. The various remedial measures suggested are:

 Staff Welfare Measures

Most important thing in the smooth functioning of a medical college and hospital is not the building or the equipment, but the manpower. Unless the employees are dedicated and satisfied, no amount of facilities can make a hospital good. For the smooth functioning of an institution, its employees should have a sense of belonging. They should feel they are a part of GMC and not the government servants. This is possible only if they get a feeling that the administration cares for them and looks after them. The staff welfare measures need not cost a lot. Even spending small amount of money, the employees can be made to feel that someone cares for them and their needs. Some of the suggestions are:

 1. Give Promotional Avenues – A lot of employees have been stagnating on their posts for many years without any promotional avenues, while their counterparts in other institutes have been getting promoted. If the government just follows Central Government Health Services pattern, there will be a very nominal or no additional financial burden, but the re-designation of the present posts will boost the morale of employees.

 2. Start GMC Club – GMC is situated at Bambolim which is a desolate place away from Panjim. A lot of GMC staff also stay at Bambolim. They have no avenue for recreation. It is suggested that a GMC club be started. A building is available where this can be done. This can be handed over to GMC Employees Association, who in turn can run this club with some subsidy from the government in the form of attendants, furniture and utensils etc. This club will be a good forum where the employees can relax after duty and can play indoor games and could have a few drinks and food with their family and friends at subsidized rates. Most of the institutes have this kind of facility.

 3. Provision of Gym and Swimming Pool – Healthy body leads to healthy mind. Since there are no means of exercise available at GMC, the government could provide a gymnasium and a swimming pool in the campus. This can be made operational with a small monthly membership fee from the members. As GMC has a vast campus, a jogging track could also be provided.

 4. Allowances – The employees working at GMC are at a disadvantage vis-a-vis their counterparts in private. Though the pay scales are not bad, still those in private earn much more than those in GMC. However, government has to go by the finance rules and cannot give more salary even if it wants to do so. But the government can give what is being offered to their counterparts in Central government in the form of book allowance and travel allowance. Though these are small amounts, yet these allowances will go a long way in making employees feel at least at par with the Central government employees.

Similarly, permission / deputation to attend conferences, workshops and seminars etc. will make the employees feel good, at the same time will help them keep up to date with their subject. Otherwise also MCI is making it mandatory for doctors to attend these conferences etc. to renew their license to practice medicine. Government could also fund inviting of some of the renowned faculty to GMC to deliver lectures or to conduct workshops. This is a good investment in human resources.

Sabbatical leave could be granted to employees to accept assignments abroad for a short period of two to five years. This will help them earn some money that will take care of their long term needs and then they will not resort to dubious means to earn this money.

 5. Citations etc – If the government cannot provide extra financial benefits to the employees for their good work, it can at least honour them with some citations etc. This however, will have to be done purely on merit and not for any other consideration. While this will cost nothing to government, this will bring a sense of pride and competition amongst the employees to perform better.

Similarly, either Secretary Health or Dean GMC can host a dinner for the employees on Doctors’ day or Nurses’ day. For this a Staff Welfare Fund could be created which could be used to fund these activities. This will give a good opportunity to the administration to interact with the employees and listen to their grievances.

 6. Proper Working Conditions – It has been observed that the output of an employee is directly proportion to the comfort level at the place of work. Thus, small comforts like proper furniture, air conditioning etc. could be provided at least at certain level. Those on duty can be provided food at subsidized rates, so that they do not have to leave their work and rush for food outside. This is all the more important in GMC because the residents sometimes work till late and do not get food anywhere in GMC. We have an excellent kitchen in GMC that can prepare food and give it to employees on payment. On similar lines, as is done in many other institutes, GMC could have a good auditorium where the employees could be shown movies once or twice a week.

 (To be Continued)