Mumbai’s first line of defence: 5000 GPs back in their clinics
A clinic at Worli’s BDD chawl that has reopened; PIC: SATISH MALAVADE
█ As govt makes Covid duty compulsory for pvt doctors
Dr Chandrashekhar Taware, member and former president of Mahim-Dharavi Medical Practitioners Association, said that inDharavi alone over 200 GPs have reopened their clinics
While a government diktat to private doctors to give up their wellpaying jobs and lucrative practices to join the state’s battle against Covid-19 has evoked poor response, it has achieved one thing – it has sent the general practitioners (GPs) scurrying back to their clinics.
According to figures made available by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) toMumbai Mirror on Wednesday evening, close to 5,000 GPs are now back at work, considerably reducing the workload on public hospitals, isolation facilities and Covid care centres.
Though it is apparent that a majority of the GPs -- who had shut their clinics after instances of doctors catching the infection increased – have returned to work to avoid duty at government hospitals, the DMER is okay with that because the GPs anyway form Mumbai’s first line of defence in a health crisis.
Click here for latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic
Earlier this month, the government had asked around 25,000 private medical practitioners in Mumbai to report to work at BMCrun hospitals and Covid care centres with immediate effect. The doctors were told that they must spend at least 15 days at the hospital they will be posted at. Those failing to report to the assigned hospital would face action, including revocation of the license to practice.
Very few private doctors, except GPs, responded to the government’s order. The DMER, in the past couple of weeks, deployed flying squads to cross-check the GPs’ claims that they had reopened clinics. “By and large, our finding is that the GPs are back. Some had problems with the housing societies they operate out of. But those problems have been resolved,” said a source.
The GPs have now been asked to click selfies with their patients every day and submit them with DMER.
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Director, DMER, Dr T P Lahane said the flight of GPs had left a big gap in Mumbai’s healthcare delivery apparatus, increasing load on public hospitals, fever clinics and isolation centres. He said the absence of GPs had also led to patients landing in hospitals in critical condition, leaving doctors with very little time to help them. “The first line of defence was gone and patients were not getting timely advice,” he said.
Dr Lahane said the GPs’ main concern was the shortage ofPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE ). “We have assured them that the government will provide them PPEs. A member of the state Task Force, Dr Shashank Joshi, will train the GPs in identifying suspect Covid cases and in providing preliminary treatment,” he said.
Dr K R Dhebri, a senior family physician based out of Bhuleshwar and a member of General Practitioners Association, said: “Many of our members said they would prefer to start their clinics rather than work at Covid care centres. Their main concern was the safety of their family members. Many of them have elderly parents at home,” he said.
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Dr Chandrashekhar Taware, member and past president of Mahim-Dharavi Medical Practitioners Association, said that in Dharavi alone over 200 GPs have reopened their clinics. “Last month, only six clinics, including mine, were open,” he said.
Apart from this, over a thousand GPs have signed up to work atBMC and state-run Covid care centres. According to state government officials, 5000 doctors are required to man over 7000 beds at various isolation facilities and Covid care centres in the city.
Dr Chandrashekhar Taware, member and former president of Mahim-Dharavi Medical Practitioners Association, said that in
While a government diktat to private doctors to give up their wellpaying jobs and lucrative practices to join the state’s battle against Covid-19 has evoked poor response, it has achieved one thing – it has sent the general practitioners (GPs) scurrying back to their clinics.
According to figures made available by the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) to
Though it is apparent that a majority of the GPs -- who had shut their clinics after instances of doctors catching the infection increased – have returned to work to avoid duty at government hospitals, the DMER is okay with that because the GPs anyway form Mumbai’s first line of defence in a health crisis.
Click here for latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic
Earlier this month, the government had asked around 25,000 private medical practitioners in Mumbai to report to work at BMCrun hospitals and Covid care centres with immediate effect. The doctors were told that they must spend at least 15 days at the hospital they will be posted at. Those failing to report to the assigned hospital would face action, including revocation of the license to practice.
Very few private doctors, except GPs, responded to the government’s order. The DMER, in the past couple of weeks, deployed flying squads to cross-check the GPs’ claims that they had reopened clinics. “By and large, our finding is that the GPs are back. Some had problems with the housing societies they operate out of. But those problems have been resolved,” said a source.
The GPs have now been asked to click selfies with their patients every day and submit them with DMER.
Take up posting at Covid-19 hospitals or lose work license
The notification, issued by DMER head Dr TP Lahane, says posting will last a minimum 15 days; docs aged 55 and above exempted.
Director, DMER, Dr T P Lahane said the flight of GPs had left a big gap in Mumbai’s healthcare delivery apparatus, increasing load on public hospitals, fever clinics and isolation centres. He said the absence of GPs had also led to patients landing in hospitals in critical condition, leaving doctors with very little time to help them. “The first line of defence was gone and patients were not getting timely advice,” he said.
Dr Lahane said the GPs’ main concern was the shortage of
Around 5,000 doctors are needed in the fight against Covid-19; PIC: NILESH WAIRKAR
Dr K R Dhebri, a senior family physician based out of Bhuleshwar and a member of General Practitioners Association, said: “Many of our members said they would prefer to start their clinics rather than work at Covid care centres. Their main concern was the safety of their family members. Many of them have elderly parents at home,” he said.
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These employees have not been reporting for work
Dr Chandrashekhar Taware, member and past president of Mahim-Dharavi Medical Practitioners Association, said that in Dharavi alone over 200 GPs have reopened their clinics. “Last month, only six clinics, including mine, were open,” he said.
Apart from this, over a thousand GPs have signed up to work at
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