In a startling turn of events, the recent strike by government doctors in West Bengal has revealed a dual reality. From August to October, while the public healthcare system was effectively locked down with full and partial strikes, a group of 563 senior resident doctors continued to practice in private hospitals and nursing homes, earning a staggering ₹54.39 crore during this period.
According to reports from Bortoman, these doctors managed to handle 73,905 cases, primarily under the Health Scheme, which has drawn attention to the stark contrast between their public protests and private practices. The average earnings of these doctors, approximately ₹10 lakh each, do not even account for their additional income from seeing patients outside the Health Scheme. They also receive a government stipend of ₹65,000 to ₹75,000 per month after completing their MD/MS, which is not included in the reported income.
Currently, West Bengal has around 1,500 senior resident doctors, many of whom have continued to provide private care despite being on strike. Interestingly, while they participated in protests, sit-ins, and demonstrations, there has been no request to halt their government benefits. This situation raises questions about their commitment to the cause they advocate.
As the strike persists, many doctors have opted for private practice, effectively abandoning the patients who rely on public healthcare. The stark irony is evident, as these doctors protest against the government while simultaneously profiting from the very system they criticize. There have even been reports of senior resident doctors traveling from North Bengal to distant districts in South Bengal to conduct cases in private nursing homes.
Critics argue that this behavior undermines the principles of justice that the strike ostensibly represents. Why, they ask, did these doctors not consider that their protests and strikes would predominantly affect the underprivileged patients who depend on government hospitals for medical care? The dichotomy of being active in private facilities while advocating for public health reform is seen as a contradiction by many.
Key Points:
- 563 government senior resident doctors practiced in private hospitals during the strike.
- They handled 73,905 cases, earning ₹54.39 crore from the Health Scheme alone.
- Despite the strike, doctors did not request the suspension of their benefits.
- The strike has severely impacted poor patients relying on government healthcare.
The overwhelming presence of government doctors in private hospitals during this tumultuous time illustrates the challenges faced by the public healthcare system. The lack of services in public hospitals means that patients are forced to seek treatment elsewhere, often at significant financial cost.
Notably, the 563 senior resident doctors involved are aware that practicing in private facilities is not permissible under their current terms of service. Nonetheless, many have continued to work in private nursing homes managed by their peers, further complicating the situation.
The ongoing strike highlights not only the struggles within West Bengal’s healthcare system but also the ethical dilemmas faced by the medical community. As the public health system grapples with strikes and protests, the simultaneous private practices of government doctors raise critical questions about accountability and commitment to patient care.