Having recently criticised government doctors for taking up private practice, health minister Dr D.L. Ravindra Reddy on Monday took the issue to the Chief Minister. Speaking to this newspaper, the minister said that the government is considering dismissing some errant doctors and calling for fresh recruitments.

The government doctors’ associations, however, contended that though a few doctors own private nursing homes, most doctors in state-run hospitals have to fight lack of promotion and infrastructure in public health institutions. Secretary general of Telangana Government Doctors Association Dr Praveen Kumar said: “Around 2 per cent doctors in the state have their own nursing homes, or refer patients to private centres. Some doctors in Guntur and Kurnool have their own nursing homes near government hospitals and refer patients there. Though such action is condemnable, it is also true that government doctors face many problems: most of them are not given (due) promotions, and the hospitals lack infrastructure.”

He also alleged that given the rift between the CM and the health minister, files are often signed after much delay, vacancies remain unfilled, and there is no upgrade in service. “A few well-connected doctors also influence politicians where promotion and transfer are concerned,” Dr Kumar claimed. Dr Ravindra Reddy, meanwhile, said: “Government doctors are keen on private practice and refer patients to private hospitals, which is highly unethical. Susp-ending such doctors isn’t the solution, as they will get half the salary without work and continue with their private practice.”