Mira Bhayandar: In a shocking revelation, an anaesthetist working at the government-run Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi Civil (Tembha) Hospital in Bhayandar has been arrested after complaints were received that he was doing his work at a private healthcare facility.
This is despite the fact that the anaesthetist identified as Dr Patil was receiving an additional monthly payment for the government hospital’s non-practicing allowance (NPA). NPA, which prohibits government doctors from private practice, is calculated on the basis of basic salary.
The show-cause notice issued by Civil Surgeon Dr Zafar Tadvi on June 21 has sought an explanation from the anaesthetist, with a warning to desist from such private practice or face disciplinary action. The matter came to light after Omprakash Garodia, one of the members of the hospital’s regulatory committee, came to know about an incident in which a 42-year-old pregnant woman died at a private hospital in Kashimira on June 1, 2024.
While digging into more details, Garodia received reliable information about the presence of the government doctor who had allegedly administered anaesthesia to the patient. Armed with evidence, Garodia raised the issue in the regulatory committee meeting and also sought the intervention of the chief medical officer of Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC)-Dr BT Dudhbhate, who requested the civil surgeon to conduct an inquiry into the matter.
It is notable that the private hospital was running an operation theatre without permission from the concerned authorities. Sensing the gravity of the problem, local legislator Geeta Jain moved a motion to highlight the issue, as per provisions under 105 of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rules.
The motion is yet to be discussed in the House. According to the list uploaded on the official website of the MBMC, 217 hospitals are registered with the Health Ministry under the Bombay Nursing Home Registration Act-1949. This is apart from registered medical professionals running clinics, dispensaries and consultation centres in the twin cities.
However, the figures could be much higher as several healthcare facilities in the twin cities were not only operating illegally but also lacked qualified medical staff, necessary infrastructure and basic facilities, thereby gambling with the lives of patients.
Published: Wednesday, July 10, 2024, 5:52 PM IST
