JnK Govt Cracks Down on 6 Doctors for Private Practice
Six Doctors Barred in J&K Over Medical Ethics Violations
Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday barred six doctors for allegedly engaging in private practice during official duty hours and making unethical referrals to private Empanelled Health Care Providers (EHCPs). The disciplinary action follows a detailed investigation under the Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY/SEHAT Scheme.
The order was issued by the Health and Medical Education Department on Monday, citing that doctors were found to violate regulations and compromise the objectives of the scheme.
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According to news reports, those found engaging in private practice during duty hours include a Consultant Surgeon at GMC Anantnag with 312 cases of unauthorized private practice, a Medical Officer at District Hospital Pulwama with 170 cases, and an Associate Professor of Orthopaedics at GMC Anantnag with 185 cases.
In addition, three other doctors were found to have made unethical referrals to private EHCPs: the Medical Officer, CHC Hiranagar, with 19 cases; the Medical Officer, EH Vijaypur, with 18 cases; and Dr. Raj Kumar Bhagat, Medical Officer, DH Samba, with 12 cases.
The order states that these actions “significantly outweighed their contribution to government service, thereby undermining the objectives of the AB-PMJAY/SEHAT Scheme,” reports Kashmir Observer.
Also Read: JnK Health Minister condemns SMHS Hospital shutdown, vows action against doctors
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakina Itoo, strongly condemned the shutdown of medical services at Shri Maharaja Hari Singh (SMHS) Hospital in Srinagar associated with Government Medical College (GMC), during a protest by doctors following the alleged assault on a resident doctor by a patient's attendant. She assured strict action against those doctors responsible for disrupting patient care. This came after the doctors suspended all medical services, including emergency care, and shut the hospital’s main gates, bringing patient care to a complete standstill.
