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| Government sets up complaint cell | | Absenteeism and overcharging by medicos | | Early Times Special Correspondent
Jammu | December 27
Concerned over large scale absenteeism among medicos posted at government health centers and hospitals in rural and remote areas as well as the government doctors overcharging patients in their private clinics, the government is all set to tighten the administrative grip and exercise the whip over the defaulters.
Though ruling out the possibility of banning private practice by that section of government doctors who are allowed to do the same, until other effective measures do not prove deterrent, the administrative secretariat Health and Medical Education Department has served stern warning on the habitual absentee doctors in rural areas as well as those who charge fees more than prescribed, to mend their ways or alternatively face the consequences.
The Secretary Health and Medical Education, K B Jandial has disclosed that the government has established grievance cell to make the medicos accountable and check overcharging of fees by them. If a doctor is found guilty after the enquiry held on the bases of complaint lodged by any aggrieved party, he will be subjected to disciplinary action under service rules and can even face suspension and prosecution.
According to an order number 308-HME of 2006 issued by the health department on 15-5-2006 the fees to be charged from the patient by various categories of government doctor has been fixed as assistant surgeons and dental surgeons with MBBS and BDS degrees respectively cannot charge the fee more than Rs 50 from a patient, while an assistant surgeon with PG degree and above qualification, lecturer Medical and Dental College can charge the fee upto Rs 75.
A grade-B specialist and assistant professor in Medical and Dental College can charge upto Rs 100, while an associate professor Medical and Dental College, A grade specialist and special scale specialist can charge the fee upto Rs 150, the government has notified.
This fee is valid for two weeks with three visits by a patient to the doctor. The doctors are required to indicate their registration number in prescription slip and issue printed receipts of the fee charge from a patient. According to the government order, the doctors posted at Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, Government Medical and Dental Colleges Directors of Health Services, Family Welfare, ISM, Medical Superintendents, Deputy Medical Superintendents of all hospitals and Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, CMOs, Deputy CMOs and BMOs of Health and Family Welfare Department and those holding equivalent administrative post are not allowed to do private practices.
The complaint cell, according to Jandial can also receive complaints about absence of para medicos from hospitals and non availability of drugs as well as poor or unhygienic conditions at clinical establishments and hospitals. These cells will also register complaints against taking sex determination test at any health centre, including private health centers. These can also register complaints against functioning of unlicensed health centers.
All the complaints can be lodged in the administrative department headed by Deputy Secretary Health on number 0191-2547367 or mobile number 9419136630. |
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