Health Director warns defaulting doctors
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 19 2013 : Saying that it has come to the notice of the Health Directorate that many Government doctors/specia-lists who are enjoying Non-Practising Allowance are employed in many private hos-pitals registered under Manipur Nursing and Clinic Registra-tion Act 1992 and Rule 1993, the Health Director has asked all managing directors of pri-vate hospitals/clinics to take up strict necessary action not to allow any Government doctor to practice in private hospitals/clinics.

The Medical Directorate issued an office memorandum to this effect on September 25 last.

In case any private hospital/clinic is found employing Government doctors, due pro-ceedings would be initiated to cancel or not to renew registration of the particular hos- pital/clinic under the provisions of Section 7 of the Ma-nipur Nursing Homes and Clinics Registration Act 1992 .

Unofficial reports say that a large number of Government doctors have been prac- tising in private hospitals/clinics in spite of enjoying Non Practising Allowance.

Apart from practising in private hospitals/clinics, many of these doctors have been re-ferring patients to private hos- pitals and diagnostic centres where they practice although the patients came to Government hospitals at the first place.

This practice of referring patients to private hospitals often creates big financial burden to poor patients and their families.

Some UG groups have been raising strong allegations of Government doctors practising in private hospitals and referring patients to private hospitals where they work.

Throwing aside all their professional ethics, many doctors now see the noble pro- fession of medicine as a means of earning big and quick money.

Generally, they work in Government hospitals and private hospitals simultaneously while at the same time enjoying Non Practising Allowance.

They also diagnose and treat people at their own homes, usually in the morning thereby earning several lakhs in a month.

Reports published earlier say that the Medical Directorate is handicapped to take up punitive actions against recalcitrant doctors even as the Directorate is fully aware that many doctors are practising in private hospitals and enjoying Non Practising Allowance at the same time due to interference by higher authority.

One noted doctor, on condition of anonymity, said that registration of private hospitals/clinics can be cancelled if a Government doctor receiving Non Practising Allowance is found working there.

Punitive actions can also be initiated against the particular doctor.

There were some instances in the past where actions were initiated against such doctors.

Recalling about a particular incident when a woman and her unborn child died together during operation for delivery at a private clinic located in Lamphel area which resulted in a public uproar, the doctor informed that on enquiry it was found the particular doctor who performed the operation was a Government doctor receiving Non-Practising Allowance.

Subsequently, the doctor was suspended apart from initiating other actions.

Although the Health Directorate has been issuing notices to private hospitals and clinics not to employ Government doctors, the same measure seems little effective.

It is not only the doctors employed by the State Government, RIMS doctors are also forbidden to practise in private hospitals/clinics.

However, whether they are Government doctors or RIMS doctors, some doctors have been practising in private hospitals/clinics without any reservation or fear, added the doctor who wished to remain anonymous.

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