H&ME’s initiated inquiry against alleged private practice by doctors

Wajahat Shabir. Updated: 1/25/2023 1:59:39 AM Front Page

SRINAGAR: Allegations have been levelled against doctors at Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department for violating Standard Treatment Guidelines, which has prompted the health department to constitute an inquiry committee.
Reports suggest that several doctors despite the ban, continue to do private practice across Jammu and Kashmir which had led to various problems at government hospitals.
Further, it is alleged that doctors are recommending medical intervention in their private clinics, instead of attending the same in the government health institutions, where they are posted.
Last year in August, the Health and Medical Education Department directed the Head of the Department and DDOs not to allow any doctor borne on the establishment of the Health and Medical Education Department not to indulge in private practices during official hours as well as they are on the duty roasters in the government health institutions.
Reports further said that the Health and Medical Education Department has continuously received complaints that doctors are in private practice thus violating Standard Treatment Guidelines.
Meanwhile, a four-member inquiry committee has been constituted by Health and Medical Education Department to inquire into allegations regarding violation of Standard Treatment Guidelines.
“Sanction is, hereby, accorded to the constitution of an Inquiry Committee comprising the following officers to enquire into the allegations levelled against doctors of Health and Medical Education Department for violating Standard Treatment Guidelines STGs of the National Health Authority”, reads the order issued by Health and Medical Education Department.
The committee members include Dr. Yashpal Sharma, Director of Coordination, New GMCs, J&K (Chairman), Dr Mir Yasir, assistant Professor, Department of Plastic Surgery, SKIMS (Member), Sanam Mansoor (JKAS), State Nodal Officer, SHA, J&K (Member Secretary) and any other officer/expert to be co-opted by the Chairman (Member).
As per the order the term and references of the inquiry committee shall be, “As and when any complaint regarding a violation of Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) along with the report of J&K State Health Agency is received in the Department, the same shall be placed before the aforesaid Enquiry Committee through its Member Secretary for holding in-depth enquiry”.
Upon the receipt of the complaint, the inquiry committee shall submit its enquiry report within (15) days positively to the Administrative Department. The Committee shall take note of the Government Order No. 612-JK(HME) of 2022 dated 12.08.2022, where instructions have been issued to the doctors to refrain from private practice during official hours/duty hours in health institutions and other malpractices.
At present, the committee shall conduct the inquiry in respect of doctors who, vide Government Order No.758-JK(HME) of 2022 dated 27.10.2022, have been banned from doing any private practice across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The enquiry report on this behalf shall be submitted by the inquiry committee within a period of 15 days positively, reads the order.


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