Gorakhpur doctor hits back, says pvt practice rampant

On Monday, the government announced that private practice by doctors at BRD hospital would now be scrutinised. As many as 14 doctors of the Gorakhpur hospital, across paediatric, gynaecology, medicine and pathology departments are under lens.

Rohan Dua
TNN

Updated On Aug 15, 2017 at 09:38 AM IST

GORAKHPUR: Dr Kafeel Khan, the evicted nodal officer of BRD hospital, where 30 children died in two days last week, has alleged that private practice by doctors of the hospital was rampant, with some even practicing from their homes within the campus.

On Monday he said through a text message from his wife's mobile phone, "Almost every doctor, even the newly-appointed nodal officer, Dr Bhupendra Sharma, and other senior doctors, are engaged in private practice." Dr Khan too has a private practice.

The doctor has been communicating with the media through his wife, Dr Shabista Khan. "The list of those who conduct private practice at their campus home inside BRD Medical College is long. But, due to this controversy, the practice is on hold," his message to the media said.

Dr Bhupendra Sharma, however, told TOI: "If a patient comes home for treatment at night, I cannot deny him that opportunity. If that's what he is calling private practice, so be it."

On Monday, the government announced that private practice by doctors at BRD hospital would now be scrutinised.

As many as 14 doctors across paediatric, gynaecology, medicine and pathology departments are under lens. This includes a pathology lab, Purti Priya, allegedly run by suspended BRD principal Dr RK Mishra. According to the terms, those doctors who are commissioned at the hospital with a regular job are not allowed to practice. Only those on contract, who draw an average Rs 60,000 salary, are excluded from the “no private practice” clause.

Dr Shabista Khan, in her messages, also tried to dispel charges against her husband. “Some defamation cases were filed against Kafeel Khan due to business rivalry with his family. But, all have closure reports from the police and courts.” On charges that Khan might have used oxygen cylinders of the hospital, Shabista said: “It is not at all possible to steal oxygen from medical college as alleged because supply is through pipe line. Cylinders are used only during an emergency.”