PESHAWAR, Dec 24: The Specialists Doctors Society has claimed that the ordinance promulgated to introduce institution-based practice at the state-run hospitals has failed to deliver, and asked the government to repeal the law.

Speaking at a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club here on Tuesday, Chairman of the Specialists Doctors Society (SDS) Dr Pervez Khan said the government had failed to implement the ordinance, promulgated 10 months back. He said it was evident from the fact that about 95 per cent of the doctors were doing the IBP and private practice at the same time.

He claimed the scheme failed to provide any benefit to the patients, as like private clinics here too they were required to deposit Rs300 as consultation fee.

Dr Khan said that the chief executives of the three teaching hospitals — Khyber Teaching Hospital, Lady Reading Hospital and Hayatabad Medical Complex — and the director-general health department were responsible for the poor state of government sector health institutions and declining standard of medical education as they provided wrong information to the provincial governor regarding the IBP.

Most of the specialists had either resigned or left the country, which was a big loss to the people and the medical education, he said.

“We challenge the government to visit the Dabgari Gardens, where almost all the doctors of the state-run hospitals have set up their private clinics. It shows that the ordinance has been rendered ineffective and it would be better if the government either withdraws it or implement it in letter and spirit,” Dr Khan said.

He said that the rates for different surgeries under the IBP was more than the fees charged by the private clinics and therefore the government’s claim of providing relief to the people was misplaced and incorrect.

“The government-run hospitals have suffered a great deal owing to the resignation of the senior consultants and the hospital wards are now being run by junior doctors, who fleece the patients in the name of the IBP,” he alleged.

Even the critically-ill patients, who needed treatment in emergency were referred to the IBP where they were charged exorbitantly by the doctors, he alleged.

He said that the chief executives of the hospitals claimed every now and then that millions of rupees had been earned under the IBP. If that is true, where that money has gone? he asked.

“Has the government been able to provide replacement for the consultants who resigned in protest against the IBP. Has there been an end to unethical practices. In there any benefit for the patients. Is there any benefit to the medical students. Has the ordinance been promulgated in other provinces? he asked and said the ordinance did not practically exist anywhere in the NWFP.

Those who attended the press conference included Dr Said Alam Mahsud, Dr Mian Naushad Ali, Dr Obaidullah, Dr Khushnood Ali Baz, Dr Khadimullah Kakakhel and others.