Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 14: Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today said the private practice by medical practitioners engaged in Government services is risking lives of patients.
Terming selective ban as illogical, the DAK president, Dr Nisar-ul-Hassan said it makes no sense to ban private practice of HoDs and allow it for all other doctors.
“Allowing private practice means doctors are not available for patients during crucial hours when their services are needed most. During emergency hours patients are left to the mercy of trainees who find it difficult to handle complicated cases,” said Dr Nisar.
He said majority of these patients die due to misdiagnosis or delayed intervention due to non-availability of senior doctors who are busy in their private clinics. “Government doctor is a Government servant all the 24 hours of the day, round the clock and does not cease to be one during the spare hours when he/she is away from duty,” the DAK president said.
He said permitting private practice at any time in the day is bound to affect the discharge of official duties by the Government doctors. “It is ironical that full time doctors are allowed to run their private clinics. Their attention and time is directed more towards their private clinics. Also, doctors more often than not direct patients from public hospitals to their clinics,” added the DAK president.
The previous attempts to ban private practice have been stalled by a strong lobby and they have misled past regimens on this issue, he alleged and said if Government is serious to mitigate the sufferings of poor people, it should immediately impose a blanket ban on private practice of Government doctors particularly in teaching hospitals.
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