H&ME deptt cracks down on violations 

Srinagar, July 28: The Jammu and Kashmir Health and Medical Education Department on Monday  six doctors for engaging in private practice during official duty hours and making unethical referrals to private Empanelled Health Care Providers (EHCPs).As per an order of the H & ME Department, the action follows an evaluation conducted by the State Health Agency under the Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY/SEHAT Scheme, which revealed that these doctors had been violating norms and undermining the objectives of the scheme.It said that the six doctors including three from Kashmir province and three from Jammu province were also involved in private practice during duty hours.The doctors found involved in private practice during duty hours include Dr Bilal Ahmad Bashir, Consultant Surgeon, GMC Anantnag with 312 cases, Dr Ishaq, Medical Officer, DH Pulwama with 170 cases, and Dr Younis Kamal, Associate Professor Orthopaedics, GMC Anantnag with 185 cases.Additionally, three doctors were found involved in unethical referrals to private EHCPs, include Dr Vikas Gupta, Medical Officer, CHC Hiranagar, with 19 cases, Dr Manju Kumari, Medical Officer, EH Vijaypur, with 18 cases, and Dr Raj Kumar Bhagat, Medical Officer, DH Samba with 12 cases.The work done report submitted by the State Health Agency unequivocally establishes that, despite being “full-time government employees,” the doctors engaged extensively in private practice, significantly outweighing their contribution to government service, thereby undermining the objectives of the AB-PMJAY/SEHAT Scheme.