Tasaduk Rashid
Anantnag, Mar 23 : National Conference MLA Abdul Majid Larmi on Monday demanded a complete prohibition on private practice by government doctors, warning that strict action, including the seizure of medical certificates, is necessary to ensure accountability in the healthcare system.
The legislator from Anantnag West told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) that he plans to table a private member’s bill in the assembly aimed at banning private practice while proposing financial incentives for medical professionals to compensate for the loss of additional income.
“The doctors should be banned from private practice and they should be given incentives so that they do not do private practice. If we give them some money that they will get every month with their salary, that is necessary,” MLA Larmi said.
He asserted that the move would enhance the quality of healthcare in public institutions. “Because then the doctors will also work well. If the doctors work with their heart, then there will be courage and determination,” he added.
Taking a strong stance against absenteeism, the MLA suggested that the government should terminate the services of doctors who remain absent from their assigned posts. He further proposed the seizure of medical certificates of those violating service norms to prevent them from practicing elsewhere, including overseas.
“Every government spends crores of rupees to make a doctor. And when it comes to jobs, he works somewhere else. His certificate should be seized so that he does not work in a small hospital or a big hospital during his service period. His certificate should be seized so that he does not go abroad, Saudi Arabia, America or any other country to practice,” MLA Larmi stated.
Acknowledging the deficiencies in his own constituency, the MLA described the government healthcare system in Anantnag as “completely deficient” of doctors, while also acknowledging that some medical staff remain dedicated to their duties. (KNS)
