IMPLEMENT IN LETTER & SPIRIT
The J&K Government’s order restraining the doctors and paramedics from private practice during the working hours is the befitting response because allowing such a thing is against the principles and a cruel joke with the common man. The government has rightly cracked the whip on the unprincipled staff of the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department, which otherwise has been appointed for the noble jobs but due to greed many of these are found indulging in private practice during the office hours, which was unacceptable and totally wrong. It is pertinent to mention that for curbing this wrongful attitude of some of the doctors and paramedics, Principal Secretary of Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department has now directed the doctors and paramedical staff to restrain from private practice during duty hours in health institutions and warned of “strict action” in case of any violation. The order in this context is precisely perfect but it is to be seen now that whether the same will be implemented on ground or like many other directions, this will also be taken as a formality with things not changing on ground zero. It is however seen that this time the government is sincere over the issue as the order has also bounded HODs to submit monthly reports with the direction not to allow any doctor borne on the establishment of the H&ME Department to indulge in malpractices, resulting in loss of government exchequer and weakening of public services. The order in this regard has been issued after observing that some doctors borne on the establishment of the H&ME Department were indulging in private practices during the official hours as well as while they are on duty rosters in the government health institutions, which is unacceptable and needs to be looked after with strictness. Already five medicos in the UT have been barred from private practice with initiation of inquiry over their conduct. It seems that things have gone beyond the limits and that is the reason behind the government taking this befitting action. The government should not spare anyone indulging in such immoral practices as it is unethical to leave the government facility for which the medicos are being duly paid and provide services in private places during the duty hours.