Patients suffer as govt docs do private practice
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Buddhal (Rajouri), January 23
Taking advantage of the lack of check on healthcare standards in the backward and far-flung area like this, doctors at the primary health centre (PHC) here prefer to do private practice in office timings even as patients continue to suffer. Not only this, the doctors follow the technique of “rotational duties” wherein a doctor remains in the town for a week and the other one goes on leave without putting it in papers and the practice is followed by the other doctor.

Locals allege that the doctors posted at the PHC come to the centre occasionally and normally do private practice during office timings at the two medical stores nearby. They add that they have lodged complaints to the authorities on several occasions but their grievances are never addressed.

They complain that since this is a far-flung and backward area, the doctors posted here take full advantage of the lack of check. They add that since two out of the three doctors posted here are outsiders, they have devised a technique of skipping their duty and remain at the station on rotational basis for 7-10 days.

“My father suffered a massive heart attack last month and we brought him to the PHC at 3 pm, but as always none of the doctors was present. After that we had to call a private doctor from the Gabbar area who treated my father. The doctors here are hardly seen and instead they treat patients at private medical stores nearby," says Pir Sadiq Shah, whose father Bashir Shah later died of the same disease.

“The authorities in the health department don't seem to be interested in improving the healthcare facilities here and doctors are taking full advantage of this. We are hoping that the new government will do something for us”.

Another resident, a social worker, Fareed Ahmed alleges, “A female doctor posted here is running a nexus with private medical stores for the sale of substandard medicines. The government should take action or we will launch an agitation against the same”.

Meanwhile, director, health service, Jammu, Dr Jasbir Singh has refuted all allegations and said, “Media has the habit of raising negative things”.