There is an urgent need for an accountability and transparency mechanism in the medical administration of the central armed police forces(APFs). Starting from the year 2005, the top ranks of DIG, IG and ADG (medical) are common to all different forces and inter-force transfers take place in these senior posts. The changes, more often than not, are at very short intervals. Invariably, medical wings of any particular force are headed by personnel who are alien to the ground realities of that force. Also, these medical heads neither relate to the middle level administrators nor empathise with their medical concerns in any effective way. As a result, the lower constabulary’s medical needs are almost always met with apathy. The same is true of their families as well.

I come from the parent cadre of BSF and had the honour to head the medical wing as IG/director for about 9 months. The instance of a DIG-ranked officer aggrieved by his medical category was brought to my notice. I ensured that issue got heard by review board in Delhi. That particular officer is an IG now.
Dozens of jawans commit suicide and no responsibility is fixed at any level of command. Posting /transfer on medical grounds is by and large done at the whims and fancies of clerks in directorates, because senior officers  have hardly any time to look into the matter — some are busy doing PR to land a good posting. Same is true of medical reimbursement claims which also can go up to Rs10 lakh for a single case. I am of the opinion that some bureau comprising senior professionals with time-tested track record, with freedom of decision making but adequately aided and supported by the government needs to be set up under the overall command of the union secretary of home affairs. It can have subordinate offices in 5-6 major zones around the country as per needs and deployment at different CAPFs. This was to present an impromptu introduction to the issue which can have serious implications if left unattended.