No private practice for doctors for 2 more months; Assam Health department extends prohibition

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Assam had issued an order prohibiting private practice for the doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff employed by the government. The prohibition was in effect till July 31, 2020.

The Ministry said such prohibition was enforced to ensure that the government hospitals have enough resources to fight the Coronavirus-led pandemic. The department of health was also of the opinion that the virus could spread further if the doctors and nursing staff shuffle between government hospitals and private nursing homes.

However, from August 1, 2020, onwards, a few doctors in Silchar started treating patients at private nursing homes and chambers. Well, they can no longer do that for at least two more months till September 30, 2020.

MoHFW, Government of Assam has issued a new order that was handed over to the doctors in Silchar on August 8. Signed by Principal Secretary, Samir K Sinha, the letter states, “State Government has been carrying out extensive COVID-19 testing across the State and a large number of COVID-19 cases have been detected which indicated the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community at large.”

It adds, “Now, therefore, in view of the need to take all necessary steps to contain the spread of COVID-19 infection, the Government in Health & Family Welfare Department hereby extends the prohibition (for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff employed under the Govt.) of private practice for another period of 2 (two) months ending on 30/09/2020.”

Any Non-compliance of this order will attract punishment under the relevant sections of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1987, Disaster Management Act, 2005 etc stated the order issued by the Health and Family Welfare department.

A senior doctor who also owns a nursing home said on condition of anonymity, “We will abide by the order as it has been issued by the authority. However, the MPs and MLAs of this region must speak with the Principal Secretary and explain the local situation to him. Unlike Guwahati, where the private nursing homes appoint their own doctors, in Silchar most of the doctors are associated with either Silchar Medical College and Hospital or SM Dev Civil Hospital. While SMCH is already stressed, non-functioning of nursing homes or unavailability or doctors will put lives at risk.”

According to the assessment of an orthopedic surgeon, close to 80 percent of the doctors in the private nursing homes in Silchar are on the government’s payroll. “75 percent of urban patients rely on private nursing homes for healthcare. This prohibition will further stress the healthcare system. Recently, in the letter to the chief secretary, DC Cachar wrote that SMCH is stressed and ICUs are all occupied. In such a scenario where should people go for treatment,” questioned the surgeon.

A senior officer of the Silchar Medical College and Hospital, however, appreciated the government’s move. “More than 40 doctors (PG) have tested positive already. Doctors need to stay in isolation after every shift and then again rejoin. With such rotations in place, it is important for us to have enough resources at our disposal. It is the government hospitals that are dealing with COVID cases and that is why we need the government doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff to be available,” said the senior officer of SMCH.

Off late, many complaints have surfaced from locals regarding the healthcare system in Silchar and they have alleged that SMCH is not providing adequate treatment due to which people are dying. With chambers shut and nursing homes without doctors, the stress on SMCH will further increase. Will it be able to cope up, it remains to be seen.