Private practice for doctors being considered

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Giving permission to government doctors to resume private practice is under the active consideration of the government, Health Minister Adoor Prakash said here on Thursday.“We are not going to take a hostile approach towards the doctors. We are thinking of taking them into confidence, holding discussions and working out a way, which will ultimately benefit all,’’ Adoor Prakash said.“However, this does not mean that we are going to permit private practice right from tomorrow. The private practice, if allowed, should not hamper the regular service at medical colleges. The doctors will have to be at the hospital when they are supposed to be, and have to do all the work they are supposed to do. We are very clear about that,’’ the Health Minister said.Citing the difficulties the people faced during the period when private practice was banned, the Health Minister said that allowing the doctors to do private practice at government hospitals is also being considered."We are looking at several options and will finally decide on one which will suit everyone,’’ he said. The Minister said that while some departments in certain medical colleges are overstaffed, the same departments in other hospitals lack enough hands. "This could be because of a flaw in transfer and postings and I have asked for a report on it,’’ he said.Monsoon driveThe Heath Department is taking all steps to launch a massive drive for the prevention of the outbreak of monsoon-related diseases in the state. In every district, the DMO will lead the disease prevention programme on a war-footing.As part of this, the vacancies in the health sector, especially at the district level will be temporarily filled through walk-in interviews. Once regular staff are appointed from the PSC list, the temporary employees will have to quit, he said.More MBBS seatsAdoor Prakash said that there was every chance that the medical colleges in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode would get 50 more seats this year.He said that the inquiry of the Medical Council towards this end had been completed.