Recurring complaint about medical services in the State is that the number of patients is large while the number of doctors is not commensurate with it. This is a country-wide phenomenon and even in premier medical institutes in the country, the story is the same. The main purpose of the Government deciding to open paid evening clinics of various specialties in GMC Jammu, Super Specialty Hospital and SMGS Hospital is that those who can afford to pay fee of rupees 300 will be able to have consultations with highly experienced doctors who are in the medical service. Generally middle class segment of society would be deriving benefit from the service to be provided in the OPDs of these medical institutions under paid clinic service.
The arrangement for HODs agreeing to make their services available to the patients in these paid evening clinics took a long time to finalize because the HODs wanted clarification on many aspects of the scheme. Now that their reservations have been alleviated, they have agreed to the new scheme of attending the evening paid clinics. As many as ten HODs will be available on specific days of the week and between specific hours at the OPD of respective hospitals.
In January last, the Government in a formal order disallowed private practice by doctors in Government medical services. In order to ensure that this order was strictly carried out, the Government had also constituted a three-man committee to keep regular watch on Government doctors not indulging in private practice. This policy evoked good deal of criticism from civil society pleading that in absence of an alternative, patients needing urgent medical consultation and support were left in lurch. However the Government had strong reasons to continue the ban imposed on private practice of Government doctors. A welfare state has to look to the interests of poor and economically weaker sections of society.
With the new scheme of paid evening clinics, interests of a very large segment of society will be served. Significantly, the creation of State Revolving Fund as part of the new policy is a very progressive step. According to the rules laid down by the Government, out of an amount of three hundred rupees as fees paid to the doctor, its 25 per cent will go to the SRF which will be utilized for improving infrastructure of the State hospitals. For the present, ten specialties have been identified whose heads will be attending the paid evening clinics. It is possible that more specialties will be added to the list with the passage of time. It is better for the patients that they will not need to make appointments in advance for private consultation since the doctors have a heavy schedule and are not easily available owing to rush of work. The Government has also prepared different medical packages for the medical investigation of patients, their treatment and admission in these evening clinics.
We believe that this is a sensible and viable option to reduce rush of patients in medical colleges and to cater to larger number of persons who need medical consultations. It does not infringe on the official timing of the hospital because paid clinics will be operating in the off hours in evenings. The good thing is that at least ten specialties are available in the beginning. We hope that the HODs have taken a wise decision of accepting to work under this scheme. It is almost allowing them private practice but in a controlled and approved manner. We hope that the HODs who have agreed to attend the paid clinics will work with best of intentions and dedication to the service of the nation.
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