PESHAWAR, Sept 22: Ban on the private practice of doctors serving at the government-run hospitals has failed to mitigate the sufferings of the poor patients as they continue to pay the same amount as consultations fee at the hospitals which they used to pay to the consultants at private clinics.
The government imposed a ban on the private practice of doctors on March 20, and introduced an institution-based practice (IBP) scheme at the state-run hospitals in order to regulate medical practice in the province.
However, the ban has so far been unable to serve the cause of the poor people as they are still required to pay heavy amount at the hospitals as consultation fee.
Similarly, the closure of various private clinics as a result of ban on private practice has added to the problems of poor people, as they used to get treatment at these outlets at nominal rates.
Patients are required to pay Rs300 consultation fee at the government-run hospitals under the institution-based practice There are many patients who want to consult doctors for minor ailments like flu, viral infection, pain and fever. They complain that most of the time general practitioners are not available.
“Before the ban, we used to be treated by a local doctor who charge us Rs30 or less. Now, the situation is very difficult for the people because all the medical practitioners have closed down their clinics for fear of being arrested by the authorities,” said a patient Mohammad Saeed.
He said the government should either lift the ban or make arrangements for the availability of general practitioners at the hospitals so that the poor patients can be provided treatment at Rs50 or less.
According to a health official, there are about 5,000 doctors in the province to cater to the needs of 18 million people. The number of doctors is extremely low given the fact that one doctor is required to treat 3,600 people.
The provincial cabinet has already approved the establishment of a regulatory authority to check quackery.
Medical experts argue that 80 per cent of people depend for their healthcare needs on these quacks who had been providing treatment since long.
If they were banned, where the poor people would go because they certainly could not afford visiting consultants at the institution-based practice, they asked.