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Tripura doctors prepares to pursue Govt. rules, likely to say ‘Good Bye' to private practice from August 1
TIWN
Tripura doctors prepares to pursue Govt. rules, likely to say ‘Good Bye' to private practice from August 1
PHOTO : High Court of Tripura. TIWN File Pic

AGARTALA, July 21 (TIWN): Just after the High Court on its interim order has asked government doctors not to run private chambers for more than three hours on working days and six hours on holidays panic broke out among the section of doctors in Agartala and other parts of the state. The situation had turned worst as was expected and has completely left the patients derived at large. The controversial private practices by the govt. doctors had worried the patients of every section and left them in dilemma. Section of patients who are worried to the ban of private practices by the doctors of the state claimed, “If the government would have taken a legal step against the private practices of the doctors from the very beginning than these days would not have to be seen now.” However, the doctors in Tripura are preparing to battle against the rules and guidelines of the state government here. They claimed, “Not more than 8 hours we would stay in hospital and by the time we would surely maintain our duty well in the health care centers.”

The doctors have recently threatened to stop the private practices from August 1 unless the state government withdraws its decision to make doctors file affidavit for private practices. The state health department had earlier asked government doctors to submit an affidavit indicating compliance with the directions of the high court with regard to private practice.

It has been learnt that the doctors’ organisation functioning here at the state would soon prayer to HC in view to review its interim order soon. They claimed, “We would not carry practices in our private clinic from August 1 this year.”

It was alleged that in view of the private practice issue the state government had bemused the High Court following which the HC on its latest interim order has directed the government doctors not to run private chambers.

They further threatened the state government that within the 8 hours they would find every possibility to treat and diagnose patients but not more than 8 hours they would stay in government hospitals and other primary health centers. “Once we stop the practice we would then work in a very time bound manner and just for 8 hours as per the guidelines of the state government.”

However, according to the experts private practice by doctors is the root cause of deterioration of tertiary care hospitals. According to the health experts, the menace of private practice has eaten away premier institutions and has buried the very purpose of research and teaching in this state.

If a doctor entertains huge number of patients in morning and evening at his/her private clinic, with tired mind what justice he can deliver to patients at hospitals, experts say.

Private practice is the biggest obstacle in growth of private health sector and blocks employment avenues to young and fresh minds. The dual practice of government doctors is an uncomfortable situation for them as well as for society at large.   

The HC has directed the state government to issue a complete ban on service and engagement of government doctors at private nursing homes, health clinics and diagnostic centers. The court has also asked the government to list out the names of doctors who were willing to do private practice at their residence or rented places following norms and rules.

Health minister Badal Chowdhury said the court has observed that some doctors are spending more time at private chambers instead of providing quality service at government hospitals.

 

The court said they would not be allowed private practice at chambers for more than three hours on weekdays when they perform duties in hospitals or government-run health centers. On holidays, the government doctors will be allowed to practice for a maximum of six hours. Besides, a doctor cannot charge more than Rs 200 from a patient on the first day and then not more than Rs 100 on each subsequent day.

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