Dear Editor,
Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor (LG), UT of J&K, Raj Bhavan , Jammu. Sir, I Sukesh C.Khajuria, a senior social activist pursuing J&K’s public issues especially relating to health and medical services, for the past more than four decades in J&K. I want to bring to your notice certain facts which pertains to the health sector and are directly affecting the general masses of J&K. There are certain decision and issues which were taken by the government for the welfare of the masses pertaining to their health and wellbeing but were not implemented on the ground due to unknown reasons. Sir, since your government has been working wholeheartedly for the overall welfare of the people of J&K, I request you to kindly look into these important issues. Your kind indulgence would be enough for implementation of these measures which were supposed to be for public good. The foremost issues is the non-implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Government Medical College, Jammu and Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai for starting oncology services at State Cancer institute (SCI) at Jammu on February 23rd , 2022 in the presence of Lieutenant Governor UT of J&K. It was an effort to provide better cancer care and up gradation of oncology services from the single department of Radiotherapy at GMC Jammu to Multidisciplinary oncology services for the Jammu region at State Cancer Institute and for streamlining the Oncology services following the practice guidelines carried out at TMC Mumbai and other Satellite Tata cancer hospitals across India. But unfortunately there is no clear implementation of MOU guidelines so that different oncology specialties practice in their own area of specialization and not to venture into the areas of other specialties as it’s strictly done at all Tata cancer hospitals, AIIMS, New Delhi. State Cancer Institute, Jaipur and other reputed corporate hospitals across India. Interestingly, the Principal GMC, Jammu, who has been blatantly practicing as Medical Oncologist, despite being a Radiotherapist, doing chemotherapy in Radiotherapy department, using MO (Medical Oncology) Packages prescribed in Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PMJAY) to be used by Medical Oncology, as someone who is not a radiation Oncologist cannot use RO (Radiation oncology) and SO (Surgical Oncology Package). Sir, there is another menace of private practice by the senior doctors and teachers working in the state medical college and government hospitals. I had been waging a lone battle against this practice of fleecing poor common masses by these doctors who get fat salaries from state exchequer and are minting money from their own private practices. The Government order no. 43- HME of 2013 dated January 17, 2013 by the government stated that “in the interest of administration and patient – care, it is hereby ordered that the Heads of the Departments in Govt. Medical colleges and Associated Hospitals and Govt. Dental colleges of the state shall not indulge in private practice henceforth”. But it is surprising that in spite of the Govt. order all the HODs are still practicing while senior authorities are turning Nelson’s Eye to these brazen violations of Govt. instructions. The Chawla committee formed to submit recommendations for the betterment of the services in the government medical college, besides numerous other recommendations had also strongly opined against private practice by senior doctors in these institutions. But, the Chawla committee recommendations were also conveniently ignored by the health bureaucracy. I have been cursading against the private practice by Govt.doctors. Sir, this private practice by the government doctors is impacting the health care services as the people are deprived of adequate and specialised medical care. This has been corroborated by the report of State health agency and the insurance company covering patients under AB – PMJAY scheme of the state government submitted to the Administrative Secretary Health and Medical Education. The list of some of the doctors involved in malpractices has also been shared with the Department. But no action has been taken against the concerned doctors. Sir, I seek your indulgence and action request your good self to issue an order through Administrative Secretary HME to strictly implement all MOU guidelines signed with tata memorial cancer Hospital, Mumbai in true spirit especially, Integrate State Cancer Institute into National Cancer Grid Tata Memorial Centre and establish standard management guidelines similar to evidence- based medicine guidelines of TMC For Organ-Based treatment in Different Disease Management Groups. The Govt.order no. 43/HME of 2013 dated January 17, 2013 by virtue where of private practice of Heads of the Departments (HODs) in GMC, Associated Hospitals and dental colleges of the state has been banned, Govt.Order No.612-JKHME of 2022 dated 12-08-2022 regarding doctors to restrain themselves from private practice during official hours / duty hours in health institution and other malpractices, notification dated 23rd April ,1998 and the recommendations of the Chawla committee should be adhered too and implemented in letter and spirit so that the revered motto of your government of “Sabka Saath and Sabka Vikas” & “Health for All” with effective services could truely benefit common people. Thanking You.
Sukesh C.Khajuria