Patients left in lurch as private hospitals in state remain shut
JALANDHAR/LUDHIANA/PATIALA: Patients were at the receiving end as private hospitals and clinics remained closed across Punjab on Tuesday in protest against the 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 government was trying to control the private healthcare sector.
The Punjab cabinet had last month notified the ordinance, which would be applicable to clinical establishments having more than 50 beds. The ordinance provides registration and regulation 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 association are unhappy over two recent decisions of the state government - the PCE ordinance and the hike in MBBS fee.”
“We want both decisions revoked and had issued an ultimatum to the government two weeks ago. A memorandum was also submitted to the administration 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. The government doctors could not join the protest owing to the Epidemic Act, but they expressed solidarity with their fellow doctors by donating blood at some places.