Across India, there have been numerous instances of doctors engaging in private practice within government hospitals, which are intended to provide free patient care. In Jammu and Kashmir, some government hospitals allow doctors to charge patients privately, effectively asking for payment for treatments that should be free. This practice contradicts the fundamental purpose of government hospitals, which is to ensure that healthcare is accessible to all, especially those who cannot afford private treatment.
I have been waging a lone battle against this practice of fleecing poor common masses by these doctors who get fat salaries from state exchequer and are minting money from their own private practicesSukesh Khajuria
In response to this issue, Jammu-based activist Sukesh Khajuria has written a letter to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, urging him to take immediate action to stop private practice in government hospitals. Khajuria argues that this practice undermines the ability of patients, particularly those below the poverty line, to access essential and necessary medical care.
Government hospitals play a crucial role in providing free treatment to those who need it most. By allowing private practice within these institutions, the government is compromising the healthcare rights of vulnerable populations. Moreover, a 2013 court order prohibits private practice in government hospitals, making this issue not only a matter of ethics but also of legality.
(Input from various media sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)