We need not to unnecessarily generate some sympathy for the doctors who are fleecing patients in more than one ways. Most of them behave worst than Pharaos of modern day and treat their patients as lesser mortals (with apologies to those who take their profession very seriously and try to serve their people in right earnest). I have seen these doctors closely. The recent raids on some private clinics were justified on the grounds that doctors are in receipt of some amount on monthly basis as NPA. Then why should they practice? Ours is a poor state, we cannot afford to impart subsidized education for the professionals who then turn around and loot their own people through very mean means. They bite the same hand that feeds them, that nurtures them. See them in the service of Arab Sheikhs. There they serve like enslaved souls  and here they work like our elite rulers. We need to ban private practice by all professionals in government service including teachers, Veterinary doctors, Unani doctors, Homeopaths, Laboratory Technicians etc. The Government would do well to allow healthcare in private sector to develop so that the people who can afford it at a price could avail it. Meanwhile the government also needs to look in to the misdeeds of those at the helm of affairs at SKIMS, SMHS and Health Department who have been steadily making a fortune by purchasing equipments and gadgets at highly exorbitant rates. Private practice is an evil but I feel the purchases make our state poorer by every passing day and these equipments are not procured according to our future needs. These institutions and other technical institutions need to be audited as far as their technicality and  services to people are concerned. This is necessary to enforce accountability. Let all professionals be banned from indulging in private practice.

Muneer Ahmad Darvesh
Daddi Kadal
Srinagar

Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 9 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST