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A major row has erupted in Kerala following an unusual directive by the state health department during Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s recent visit to Ernakulam. The controversy stems from an order that designated three government doctors as “food testing officers", assigning them the task of checking the quality of meals served to the Vice-President, an instruction that triggered sharp protests from the medical fraternity.

Traditionally, doctors are part of a designated medical team prepared to handle emergencies during VIP visits. However, the Ernakulam District Medical Office instructed three doctors to oversee food safety instead, a duty unrelated to their medical expertise. Taken aback by the nature of their assignment, the doctors refused to comply.
According to a report by The Times of India, the three doctors were asked to take charge of food testing duties across various venues; an assistant surgeon from the Family Health Centre in Kodanadu was posted at CAFS, an airline catering unit at Kochi airport; a female medical officer from the district hospital was assigned to the Aluva Guest House; and another doctor was directed to report to the Ernakulam Guest House. None of the three reported for duty.
 

“The doctors did not attend the duty as we are not supposed to carry out this duty. We have lodged our strong protest regarding deputing for such duties with the authorities concerned. We won’t take up such duties in future either," TOI quoted a Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) leader as saying.

The association condemned the move, calling it both “impractical" and “insulting". According to the KGMOA, assessing food quality falls under the purview of trained professionals in food safety, not practising clinicians. “The work of checking the quality of food should be done by trained and qualified professionals in this field, not by practising doctors," the association reiterated in its official communication.

Following the backlash, health officials reportedly backed down and did not attempt to pressure the doctors into accepting the duty. No action has been taken against the doctors, and there has been no official statement from either the Health Department or the Ernakulam district administration regarding the controversy.

An official from the association emphasised, “The doctors did not perform this duty because we should not take such responsibility. We have registered our strong protest with the concerned officials. We will not take such a duty in future also."

The issue has sparked debate across Kerala’s medical circles, with many viewing the order as an affront to the professional dignity and expertise of healthcare workers. The KGMOA has further warned that if similar orders are repeated in the future, the response will be more severe.