Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir government has sought the opinion of medical college principals over the proposal of imposing blanket ban of doctors in the region.
According to official documents, the lieutenant governor, G C Murmu has written to all the principals of government medical colleges of Kashmir and Jammu through the Under Secretary Health and Medical Education Department asking them to furnish their views and comments over the ban on private practice of doctors in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The LGs communication was issued last month following a proposal sent by the Health and Medical Education Department to issue blanket ban on private practice of doctors including those working in various district hospitals of Jammu and Kashmir,” said an official.
He said the health department had already formulated a policy to stop private practice of doctors in an efficient manner and compensate them by way of Non-practicing allowance (NPA).
“The draft policy had been sent to the Lieutenant Governor for the final approval before issuing any official order in this regard. We are hopeful that we will get the go ahead soon as there is hardly any opposition to the plan in absence of the political government in J&K,” the official said.
The department had received many complaints against doctors that they abandon government hospitals during working hours which resulted in poor patient care.
Sources said the Lieutenant Governor has sought opinion from the Principals so that he can grant his permission without any hassle later on.
It has been observed that very few doctors follow the duty roster as they indulge in private practice during office hours as well as in the evening when they supposed to attend patients at government designated evening clinics, they said.
Another official privy to the development said the ban order issued in 2013 to bar head of departments from private practice has also been violated explicitly by the doctors.
“Many HODs don’t even attend patients in the evening clinics designated by the government while at least 15 have to be present in Srinagar based evening clinic to attend patients,” he said.
The violation by HODs has also affected the teaching activities in the Medical Colleges of J&K including the newly established ones.

Manzoor ul-Hassan