This is in response to the news “Govt. continues raids on private clinics” (GK -23/02/2011). At a time when Central and State Governments are making efforts to improve the ailing health sector, the overzealous government officials raiding private clinics and misbehaving with senior doctors came in for a bad taste. The officials overstepped their Authority by filming the doctors and then airing the footage on news channels and putting unedited videos on social networking sites like Facebook. There was lack of decorum and decency in their act. The footage leak made the whole exercise look suspect. It seemed as if the government has run out of decent methods to tackle the issue of private practice or they had gone to do some sting operation to hunt criminals- a needless publicity stunt. Some may argue that doctors indulging in private practice despite drawing NPA have broken the rules and committed a wrong, but the raiding team had no right to demolish the reputation of a person. Even in Delhi, people accused of heinous crimes, which attract media attention are brought to the court with their faces covered to conceal their identity. Putting the video of a reputed doctor being dragged by a person who can’t even differentiate stethoscope from Durbeen on the web for everybody to see was condemnable. It is disheartening and painful to see some people like nothing better than to abuse doctors even though the medical set up is the only thing which is functioning honestly in Kashmir. Last summer when all other departments were on strike for 4 months the same so called butcher-doctors worked day and night risking their lives by attending duties not for the measly pay but for their dedication to work.
When Central and  State governments are mulling attractive schemes for bringing back doctors working in foreign countries to Kashmir to strengthen healthcare services, such an act by the state administration conveys an utterly wrong message. Already Kashmiri doctors working in foreign countries are asking their colleagues and friends in their profession to leave the valley and work where remuneration is good and life is dignified and comfortable. Government also needs to understand that doctors are among the few professionals who can find well paying lucrative jobs anywhere in the world even in these recession hit times. By treating doctors in such disgusting ways may make many in the profession to move out of valley where they can earn more and in a dignified manner. After all nothing values more than respect for a doctor which had made him to choose his profession. Somebody had rightly posted on a social networking site that “doctors don’t share any part of their practice money with the ministers which is why they are treated with vengeance as against all the corrupt officials of the administration and the engineering department who have a chain of percentages to ensure immunity of sorts”. I would like to ask if a doctor wants to do some business after 5 PM other than the Private practice (say selling shawls and making a good buck), would he still be liable for prosecution?? Now that Divisional administration belatedly has convened meeting with the heads of the hospitals, the authorities must take adequate care while conducting such exercise and uphold an individual’s basic right to dignity and honour. Only senior level officers must be part of checking teams. The problem of private practice is not unique to J&K. Other states too have also grappled with the issue and have evolved different means to discourage it. May Allah give us the strength to be honest, modest and truthful.

(Feedback at drrifatkhan@ymail.com)

Lastupdate on : Fri, 4 Mar 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 4 Mar 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 5 Mar 2011 00:00:00 IST