Demand for ban on entry of MRs to govt hospital grows shriller

Their entry hits patients care, say people

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Jul 31 (KNO): Ban on entry of medical representatives (MR) to SKIMS has revived the debate about their ban to other hospitals.

Many patients and attendants told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that presence of MRs in hospitals is causing inconvenience to them.

On a visit to several hospitals, this correspondent spotted a large presence of MRs in hospitals and outside the chambers of doctors.

People question when almost 99 percent drugs are available in hospitals at cheaper rates what is the role of MRs.

“They (MRs) must visit doctors at their private clinics only,” they said.

They said that elderly patients are being kept waiting for hours as doctors prefer to discuss their perks and gifts with medical representatives.

An elderly patient from Pulwama said that he had to wait for about three hours at an OPD of a hospital because over a dozen MRs entered the doctors’ cabin.

“It was between 10 am-1 pm without any restrictions when patients from far off places were visiting the OPD for treatment,” he said.

Recently, a circular was issued by SKIMS where authorities directed doctors that all medications prescribed should be generic medicines and not branded medicines.

Several doctors had welcomed this move as they said that this would bring relief to patients especially poor who are not able to buy expensive branded medicines.

They said that there is a perception generated that because generic drugs are cheaper, they will be less effective but that is not true and there is a need to raise awareness among people that would change their perception towards generic drugs.

They also said that other hospitals must issue similar directions to promote generic drugs and to curtail entry of MRs when they are entering hospital for private purposes only.

A doctor who wished not to be named said that MRs must be banned from visiting doctors in government hospitals.

Citing availability of generic medicines at low rates in hospitals, he said that there is no need for MRs to promote dispensing of any other drugs through doctors in government hospitals.

A senior health official said that they will look into the issue and issue necessary directions to concerned authorities so that patients won’t have to suffer—(KNO)

Set up examination centre for students in Srinagar: Resident doctors

Srinagar, July 31, KNT: Resident Doctors Association GMC Monday appealed to authorities to set up a centre for students in Srinagar.

They said they have been receiving multiple representations from MD /MS doctors regarding the nonavailability of an exam centre in Srinagar for the upcoming National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Super Specialty (NEET SS 2023 ) which will be conducted in September 9 and 10.

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test Super Specialty (NEET SS) is a crucial examination for aspiring medical professionals seeking admission to various super specialty courses in our country.

A significant number of candidates from the Kashmir division are facing this inconvenience while appearing for the NEET SS 2023 examination. Currently, the only examination centre for NEET SS 2023 in Jammu and Kashmir is in Jammu. This location proves to be highly inconvenient and distant for many candidates hailing from the Srinagar district and surrounding areas.

Majority of the candidates appearing for NEET SS 2023 from the state of Jammu and Kashmir are from Kashmir Division, it is essential to ensure that their examination experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible. One of the ways to achieve this is by establishing an additional examination centre in Srinagar. so that inconvenience faced by aspirants would not only be alleviated but also promote accessible and equal opportunities for aspirants from all regions of Jammu and Kashmir.

Resident Doctors Association GMC requested concerned authorities and LG office to intervene in this matter and help in setting up an additional NEET SS 2023 examination centre in Srinagar. [KNT]