When is the Maharashtra Government going to operate on ‘cut practice’ in the medical field, asks HVP
Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad (HVP)
In the medical field, doctors and hospitals take advantage of patients’ helplessness and ask them to get various tests / investigations done, patients are sent to specific medical stores, and the bribe (on a percentage basis) is later accepted as ‘commission’. Such ‘cut practice’ is going on in the State on a large scale. A committee of experts was set up by the Government on 27th July 2017 to pass a law against such malpractices. The committee prepared a draft Bill, but no action was taken in five years. During the Corona pandemic, it was observed that doctors, pathological labs and hospitals looted patients extensively. Since this issue has become very sensitive, Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad (HVP) President Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar has asked the Maharashtra Government when it is going to operate on doctors’ ‘cut practice’.
HVP sent a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Health Minister, Health Secretary, Minister of medical education and drugs, and Secretary of the Department. The committee had prepared a draft Bill called ‘Maharashtra Prevention of Cut-practices Act, 2017’ and it was posted on the Directorate of Medical Education website for viewing, obtaining suggestions and objections.
On seeking information under the ‘Right to Information (RTI)’ Act, it was revealed on 23.8.2021 that the draft had not been submitted by the experts’ committee and the entire file related to this Bill was sent to the Minister for Medical Education and Drugs on 18.5.2021; thus, the Department has wriggled out of the situation. Advocate Ichalkaranjikar has said in the memorandum that those involved in such ‘cut practice’ probably know where exactly the process has been ‘paralysed’ for the last 5 years.
Advocate Ichalkaranjikar said that the draft Bill on the website has several shortcomings and one may wonder if the proposed law is meant to stop the ‘cut practice’ or to make it official or to find loopholes in the law. There is a provision to catch only the small fish in this law, but the big fish – pharmaceutical companies and hospitals – have been given wiggle room. There is also a provision in the first stage itself for getting reimbursement from the complainant in case the complaint is found to be false or has resulted in defaming the doctor. No law has such provisions; therefore, it seems to be a case of letting go of the real thief and punishing the innocent. This needs to be changed and we are ready to help the Government in this matter”, said Advocate Ichalkaranjikar.