2 doctors banned from private practice for illegal patient referrals

Baramulla, Feb 09: Health & Medical Education Department has banned two doctors from the Government Medical College Baramulla from conducting private practice.
The ban affects Dr. Zafarullah, an Assistant Professor of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Dr. Shafaqat Ahmad Lone, an Associate Professor of ENT. Officials said that both are posted at GMC Baramulla.
According to an official order, the ban on private practice has been imposed on the two doctors for referral of patients from Public hospital to Private Hospitals for availing treatment/benefits.
The order prohibits them from conducting private practice across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
In an official Government Order No: 23-JK(HME) of 2023 Dated: 09-02-2023 reads, “Pending enquiry to the allegations, regarding the issue related to the referral of patients from Public hospital to Private Hospitals for availing treatment/benefits under AB PM-JAY & AB PM-JAY SEHAT Scheme and illegal up-coding of packages, two doctors are hereby banned from doing any private practice across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, with immediate effect.”