With the Cabinets decision to merge the men and women cadres of doctors in the Uttar Pradesh Provincial Medical Services,the state government on Wednesday put an end to an old legacy of the British period. Now men and women will be a single cadre of doctors with equal opportunities. Under the old system,while the men were supposed to treat in the district hospitals,the women,who were only supposed to be gynaecologists,catered to the maternity and womens hospitals such as Dufferin Hospital (now Weerangana Avanti Bai Hospital). The cadres were separate ever since the days of establishment of the department,which was in the British period, said Dr Nirupama Singh,general secretary of the UPPMS Association. The total number of posts of women doctors in the state is 1,786,as against the posts of 11,982 male medical officers. Because of the limited number of posts,fewer women could be appointed to medical services. Even non-gynaecologists were posted in the female cadre. Welcoming the move,Director General,Health,Dr S P Ram said,This was long awaited and will help in strengthening the health system of the state.
