Stories
MBBS Doctors' Secret Letter: AYUSH Practitioners as RMOs in Private Hospitals, Health Minister's Intervention Sought
- •MBBS doctors sent a secret letter to the Health Minister, alleging private hospitals and nursing homes are not employing MBBS RMOs.
- •The letter claims AYUSH practitioners (homeopathic, Ayurvedic, Unani) are hired as RMOs at lower salaries than MBBS doctors.
- •Complaints have been raised against nursing homes in Park Circus, South 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad.
- •Concerns about patient safety and employment for MBBS doctors were highlighted, demanding an end to "crossopathy."
- •The letter urges the Health Minister to ensure 24x7 qualified MBBS RMOs, conduct surprise inspections, and take action against irregularities.
Key Questions Answered
Unemployed MBBS doctors alleged that many private hospitals and nursing homes across West Bengal are not employing qualified MBBS allopathic doctors as Resident Medical Officers (RMOs). Instead, they are hiring AYUSH practitioners—including homeopathic, Ayurvedic, and Unani doctors—at much lower salaries to treat patients and handle clinical duties.
The letter highlighted concerns regarding several institutions including Islamia Hospital, Sana Hospital, TRA Hospital, Life Zone Hospital in Baruipur, and Nabojibon Hospital in Shyambazar, alongside regions in South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Howrah, and Diamond Harbour. However, the signatories requested an impartial government inspection rather than pre-emptively accusing any specific institution.
The unemployed MBBS doctors requested the Health Minister to ensure 24x7 MBBS RMO presence, conduct surprise inspections, investigate clinical duties performed outside legal scopes, and properly utilize qualified medical manpower. Meanwhile, authorities at Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital took strict action by show-causing seven government doctors for illegally running private practices despite receiving special non-practice allowances.
