Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 8

Amid mounting Covid cases and deaths, some of the government doctors, in violation of the service rules, are allegedly indulging in private practices, despite the fact that they are being paid a “non-practice” allowance.

In fact, taking advantage of the worsening Covid situation, wherein OPDs and elective surgeries have been halted, some of the doctors are regularly treating patients either at private clinics at their homes or in private hospitals.

Reportedly, some of the doctors indulging in such practices even include head of the departments at Government Rajindra Hospital.

A health official, pleading anonymity, said, “They are getting salary from the government, but are busy in private practices. During the first wave, these doctors themselves were refraining from treating Covid patients due to the fear of infection. Now, things are changed and doctors are no more scared of the infection. Moreover, new private hospitals have already sprung up to take benefit of the worsening Covid situation.”

In one such instance, The Tribune discovered that one of the government doctors, who had been working under the Patiala Health Department, was indirectly running a newly constructed private hospital by some other name. The hospital had already received an approval to treat Covid patients.

Meanwhile, sources said some of the health officials, who had an experience of working during the Covid times for a year now, were extending technical help to these private facilities.

Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Satinder Singh said: “I am unaware of any such incident. The supervisor of the alleged defaulting doctor may be in a better position to comment.”

Dr Rajan Singla, principal, Government Medical College, said: “I am unaware of any such practice. If I get any proof against any faculty member, I will take it up with the higher-ups.”