THE fact that many of our public hospital doctors’ work in private clinics for an extra buck is not a new phenomenon, but this widely practiced moonlighting should not anyhow affect their core duties. Patients awaiting major surgeries at different public hospitals in Bangladesh have reportedly become helpless, as surgeons are often skipping their scheduled duties just to do brisk business in private clinics. The woe has reached an alarming state especially in Mitford Hospital, Suhrawardy and National Institute of Diseases of the Chest and Hospital.
Many patients suffering from serious neuro, kidney and orthopaedic conditions have lodged complaints. Many of them needs to undergo surgeries on urgent basis, but the doctors remain apathetic to these patients. This is unfair and unethical on all grounds and sharply goes against doctors’ code of conducts. It is right here, where these voracious doctors must separate extra-financial needs from their professional duties. We don’t want our patients to suffer due to doctors’ negligence. Moreover, in the face of such health related crisis public hospital doctors should be penalised if the repercussions of their unprofessionalism falls upon the patients.
According to an official at a public hospital, the surgeons earn around one lakh Taka from each operation in private hospitals, but there is no scope to earn such a hefty amount in public hospitals. The official also added by saying, even some of our public hospital authorities’ are also undone about those senior surgeons’ autocratic behaviour. That said – if anyone is found ignoring their scheduled duties in the hospital he or she must face punitive actions in accordance with service rules.
Our point is simple – in the face of financial needs, our doctors’ surely may render services to private hospitals but then it should take place during their off-duty hours. Also the health care profession requires moral and professional obligation first than making more money.
Lastly, we expect our public hospital doctors to evaluate their medical profession from a more humane perspective. They should refrain from comparing the weight of financial gains, and focus more on the need of their patients.
Many patients suffering from serious neuro, kidney and orthopaedic conditions have lodged complaints. Many of them needs to undergo surgeries on urgent basis, but the doctors remain apathetic to these patients. This is unfair and unethical on all grounds and sharply goes against doctors’ code of conducts. It is right here, where these voracious doctors must separate extra-financial needs from their professional duties. We don’t want our patients to suffer due to doctors’ negligence. Moreover, in the face of such health related crisis public hospital doctors should be penalised if the repercussions of their unprofessionalism falls upon the patients.
According to an official at a public hospital, the surgeons earn around one lakh Taka from each operation in private hospitals, but there is no scope to earn such a hefty amount in public hospitals. The official also added by saying, even some of our public hospital authorities’ are also undone about those senior surgeons’ autocratic behaviour. That said – if anyone is found ignoring their scheduled duties in the hospital he or she must face punitive actions in accordance with service rules.
Our point is simple – in the face of financial needs, our doctors’ surely may render services to private hospitals but then it should take place during their off-duty hours. Also the health care profession requires moral and professional obligation first than making more money.
Lastly, we expect our public hospital doctors to evaluate their medical profession from a more humane perspective. They should refrain from comparing the weight of financial gains, and focus more on the need of their patients.
