SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: Though J&K Government has imposed a ban on private practice by doctors during official hours and warnings have been issued that strict vigilance shall be kept on doctors and paramedical staff and all such cases will be recommended for strict action by regulatory authorities, it has been observed, particularly in Kashmir valley, that certain doctors borne on establishment of Health & Medical Education Department are indulging into private practices, in sheer violation of Civil Services Conduct Rules as well as various guidelines issued from time to time and also against the ethics of public service for which doctors have been appointed by the Government.
In this regard, even government seems accepting that certain doctors are recommending medical intervention in their private clinics instead of attending patients in Government health institutions, where they are posted. The government order read, “This results in loss of public exchequer under Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme and hence tantamount to offence under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. This is also to be construed as misconduct and violation of Civil Services Conduct Rules.”
Meanwhile, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) said that it is ironical that government doctors are allowed to run private hospitals in Kashmir. DAK President Dr Nisarul Hassan said that public hospitals are places where poor seek health care. “Majority of population is still poor and cannot afford expensive treatment in private hospitals. Diverting human resource from government hospitals to private sector deprives poor and underprivileged of essential health care,” he said. DAK President further said government doctor is a government servant 24 hours of the day and does not cease to be one during spare hours when he/she is away from duty.”Permitting private practice at any time in the day is bound to affect discharge of official duties by government doctor,” he said.
He further claimed that private practice has eaten away our premier health institutions which not only are crucial life-saving assets but also full-time centers for medical education and research. The academic character of the health institutions has damaged and profession of healthcare has affected to great by private practice. “Government should ban private practice of government doctors particularly in medical colleges to ensure round clock availability of doctors for patients,” he added. STATE TIMES published several reports to highlight the issue that common public are being affected by such practices of medicos. People further complained that many doctors are indulging into private practice in other cities/towns, which means that they are not available at their places of posting in case of any emergency arises. Skipping duties and indulging into private practices in other places by doctors should be viewed seriously as patients are suffering a lot. Moreover, same instructions should be applied to Para-medical staff also, which is also found indulged in private practices quite often.