Despite government plea, private doctors fail to report for duty

5,000 doctors needed in Mumbai; poor response to government notification

Many private medical practitioners in the city are refusing to join the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic despite orders from the state government, which earlier this month asked them to report to hospitals and clinics with immediate effect.

The government sent notices to around 25,000 private practitioners telling them they must spend at least 15 days in hospitals treating Covid-19 patients. Those failing to report to their assigned hospital were threatened with action, including revocation of licences. But even after the notices, hardly any doctors have reported for duty.

According to government officials, there is a need for around 5,000 doctors to treat patients at various isolation centres all over the city.

The notification, signed by Dr TP Lahane, director, Medical Education & Research (Mumbai), was forwarded to all private practitioners in Mumbai late Tuesday by the Maharashtra Medical Council. Invoking the Epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act, and the Maharashtra Essential Service Maintenance (Amendment) Act, the notification said: “Your expert services are required for the prevention and treatment of Covid-19 patients, at least for 15 days. You shall, therefore, convey your willingness and place of choice where you would like to render your services.”

However, the officials said the response was poor. Last Sunday, as Covid-19 cases continued to surge, Maharashtra’s medical education department sent a plea to the Kerala government, whose success story has drawn praise worldwide, for specialist doctors and nurses. In a letter to Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja on Saturday, the state sought 50 specialist doctors and 100 nurses to manage the 600-bed Covid Care Centre coming up at Mahalaxmi Race Course.

The state assured specialist doctors would be given a monthly remuneration of Rs 2 lakh, MBBS doctors Rs 80,000 and nurses Rs 30,000, besides all other facilities. In the letter, Dr Lahane, head of Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER), said Mumbai and Pune, which are likely to see more cases, will require more doctors and nurses.

Dr Lahane said: “We need over 5,000 doctors at present to handle the situation. After the notice was issued to all 25,000 private practitioners in city, only 500 doctors have joined the duty.