Health department’s move evokes mixed reactions

Patna: The decision to ban private practice by govt doctors has drawn mixed reactions from people with several expressing apprehension about its implementation. Some said they expected the ban to improve the availability of doctors at govt hospitals, as they would no longer be in a hurry to attend their private clinics.Social workers associated with the health sector said the move might not be practical and that private practice could continue even after the new policy is implemented. One social worker, speaking on condition of anonymity, said some doctors associated with the central govt and receiving non-practice allowance were still quietly practising privately, even though they were not supposed to do so.“There are several good doctors at govt hospitals, but their way of treatment is different at their private hospital.

I mean, the treatment is better,” he said.A staff member associated with one of the govt hospitals in the state said doctors engaged in private practice were often in a hurry to rush back to their clinics and were unable to give eight hours to the govt institution. “For example, if a doctor’s duty hour is from 8.30am to 4.30pm, we noticed that they went back during their lunch time and did not return. They did so in order to cater to the patients at their private clinic,” he said.

He added that strict implementation of the order could have mixed outcomes. “If the order is implemented strictly, those doctors with good private practice may quit their govt job. But, on the other hand, the stay of doctors at govt hospitals will increase, and it will benefit people,” he said.A resident of Bakarganj, Pooja Kumari, also expressed apprehension that doctors with good private practice might quit their jobs altogether. She added the govt should ensure that quality doctors continue to remain in govt hospitals.