The Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC) took a bold step to safeguard the rights of healthcare professionals and improve public healthcare delivery.
The Commission issued a comprehensive order in Complaint No. 393/3/2023, urging the Haryana government to separate administrative and clinical duties in government health institutions. This directive aims to relieve specialist doctors of bureaucratic burdens, enabling them to focus on patient care.
The Full Commission, led by Hon’ble Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and including Members Shri Kuldip Jain and Shri Deep Bhatia, actively reviewed a detailed report from the Director General, Health Services, Haryana.
The report highlighted significant progress, such as the installation and maintenance of PSA oxygen plants, the expansion of CT/MRI/dialysis services, and the recruitment of 777 Medical Officers to bolster healthcare delivery. The Commission praised these efforts, recognizing their potential to strengthen Haryana’s healthcare system. However, it quickly shifted focus to a critical issue: the growing administrative workload on specialist doctors, which undermines their ability to deliver quality care.
The HHRC firmly asserted that piling administrative tasks on medical specialists violates their fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantee equality and the right to a life of dignity. By compelling doctors to handle paperwork and bureaucratic duties, the system not only hampers their professional efficiency but also compromises patient care.
Consequently, the Commission called for urgent reforms to ensure that specialist doctors dedicate their time to clinical responsibilities rather than administrative chores. It emphasized that healthcare professionals deserve dignified, efficient, and conducive working conditions, free from unrelated workloads that detract from their primary role.
To address this issue, the Commission urged the Haryana government to establish clear policy guidelines. It recommended entrusting administrative duties to designated officers, such as Medical Superintendents or trained administrators, to relieve doctors of non-clinical responsibilities. This approach aligns with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) and the National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, which prioritize efficient and patient-centric healthcare delivery.
By implementing these reforms, the government can enhance both public health outcomes and the working conditions of medical professionals, ensuring that specialists focus on patient care rather than administrative tasks.
Moreover, the HHRC underscored the broader implications of its recommendations. Overburdening doctors with administrative tasks not only affects their morale but also erodes public trust in the healthcare system.
The Commission stressed that protecting doctors’ service rights is essential to upholding human rights and maintaining high standards of public health. By streamlining roles within health institutions, the government can create a more effective and responsive healthcare framework, benefiting both professionals and patients.
In response to the order, Dr. Puneet Arora, Protocol, Information, and Public Relations Officer of the Commission, announced that the Additional Chief Secretary of Health & Family Welfare, Medical Education & Research, and AYUSH Department, along with the Director General, Health Services, Haryana, must submit detailed compliance reports within eight weeks. These officers will present their responses via video conference during the next hearing, scheduled for August 12, 2025. This timeline reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring swift action and accountability.
The HHRC’s directive marks a pivotal moment for Haryana’s healthcare system. By advocating for structural reforms, the Commission aims to create an environment where doctors can excel in their clinical roles, unencumbered by administrative tasks. This move not only addresses the immediate concerns of healthcare professionals but also sets a precedent for aligning state policies with national standards.
As the August hearing approaches, all eyes will be on the Haryana government to see how it responds to this call for change. The Commission’s proactive stance underscores its dedication to protecting human rights and enhancing public health, ensuring that doctors can focus on what they do best: healing patients.
