Syed Abid Rasheed Shah (IAS), Administrative Secretary of the Health and Medical Education Department, has announced stringent measures against doctors engaged in private practice during duty hours. Dr. Shah emphasized that any doctor found practicing at a private clinic between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. will face immediate action.
Expressing concern over doctors prioritizing private practice over their duties in government hospitals, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah reiterated the importance of providing the best possible care to patients in government healthcare facilities. He stated that steps would be taken to monitor doctors' activities during working hours, with strict consequences for those found practicing at private clinics during designated government duty hours.
The proactive stance taken by the Health Department officials underscores a commitment to reforming and improving the healthcare system in Jammu and Kashmir. The editorial's impact serves as a catalyst for addressing longstanding issues within the healthcare sector, with a focus on enhancing service delivery and ensuring accountability among healthcare professionals.
The detailed editorial article 'If not now, when? Need for urgent reforms to transform J&K's healthcare system', (https://www.jkmonitor.org/if-not-now-when-need-for-urgent-reforms-to-transform-j-ks-healthcare-system) published by JK MONITOR on January 7, 2024 is as below.
To transform the healthcare landscape in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a series of comprehensive reforms need to be implemented. The urgent need for improvement and enhanced accountability within the medical system, visionary plans need be made to make healthcare services more patient-friendly and efficient.
ACCOUNTABILITY IN EMERGENCY SERVICES: One of the primary reforms should be to instill accountability in emergency services at leading government hospitals by assigning senior doctors during odd hours, ensuring that patients receive expert care when they need it the most. This move is expected to significantly enhance the effectiveness of emergency medical services.
CURBING PRIVATE PRACTICE: To ensure that patients can access superior treatment service within government hospitals, stringent check on private practice by doctors during official working hours is needed. This step will redirect medical expertise and resources towards public healthcare, improving the overall quality of service.
UPGRADING MEDICAL TESTS AND LABORATORIES: Recognizing the economic burden on patients who are forced to seek private diagnostic services, there is need to upgrade medical tests and diagnostic laboratories in government hospitals. The comprehensive testing facilities within government healthcare institutions will reduce the financial strain on patients and their families.
ENSURING DOCTOR ACCOUNTABILITY: To enhance the accountability of healthcare professionals, making all doctors accountable for their duties in posted hospitals, the need is to strictly ban government-employed doctors from engaging in private practices to prioritize their commitment to public healthcare.
IMPLEMENTING A STRICT ROSTER SYSTEM: The need is to take inspiration from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMR) in Chandigarh, and enforce a strict roster system within the health department. This measure will improve punctuality and discipline among healthcare employees, fostering a more efficient work environment.
AUDITING AND CONTROLLING DUPLICATE MEDICINES: Addressing concerns about the alleged supply of duplicate medicines in the market, a thorough audit to prevent companies from jeopardizing patients' health for economic gains is a must. This initiative will align with the commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of the population.
GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED RATE LIST FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS: To make medical services more accessible, a government-controlled and approved rate list for diagnostic tests in private hospitals and centers need to be established. This move will control exorbitant prices, creating a more people-friendly healthcare system.
SPECIAL SQUAD FOR MONITORING: To monitor and enforce reforms, a special squad involving officials from the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) should be constituted by the Health Department. This should be tasked to oversee punctuality, discipline, and patient care in hospitals and ensuring adherence to government-approved rates in private diagnostic centers.
If J&K Government take these steps seriously and implement them, it will usher in a new Era of healthcare in Jammu and Kashmir, promising a more patient-centric, accountable, and efficient medical system for the people of the Union Territory.