Patients left in lurch as private hospitals in state remain shut
JALANDHAR/LUDHIANA/PATIALA: Patientswereatthereceivingend as private hospitals and clinics remained closed across Punjab ontuesdayinprotestagainstthe Punjab Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Ordinance, 2020, that is coming into force from July 1.
Terming the ordinance “antidoctor” and “anti-public”, the protesters, under the banner of the Punjab chapter of the Indian Medical Association, said the governmentwastryingtocontrol the private healthcare sector.
The Punjab cabinet had last month notified the ordinance, whichwouldbeapplicabletoclinical establishments havingmore than 50 beds. The ordinance provides registration andregulation of clinical establishments in a professional manner to ensure compliance of clinical standards and protocols and transparency in the functioning of these establishments for fair and proper delivery of health services to the common man.
IMA president Dr Navjot
Singh Dahyia said: “Around 10,000 doctors affiliated with the associationareunhappyovertwo recent decisions of the state government- thepceordinanceand the hike in MBBS fee.”
“We want both decisions revoked and had issued an ultimatum to the government two weeksago. A memorandumwas also submittedtotheadministration and MLAS,” said Dr Rakesh Vig, convener of the IMA action committee.
The agitating doctors said there was no need for this law as they were already regulated by the Punjab Medical Council and other laws. Thegovernmentdoctors could not join the protest owing to the Epidemic Act, but they expressed solidarity with their fellow doctors by donating blood at some places.