Private doctors meet Raj Thackeray and express their grievances

On Friday, September 11, a delegation of private doctors from the state met Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray at his residence, Krishnakunj. During this visit, the team of doctors expressed their grievances, hoping to seek support and solution for the same. 

Coronavirus cases in the state are increasing at a significant pace, and the government is expecting the doctors to help at all times. However, doctors stated that the officials are not paying serious attention to their issues while fighting the virus.

As per reports, the state government is currently expecting private doctors to open their own clinics and treat patients during the crisis. The same has been followed in many areas, as doctors have opened clinics and started serving patients. However, the government does not provide PPE kits to doctors in abundance, and the ones running clinics in densely populated areas are treating patients with coronavirus. Neither do these doctors get the benefit of the insurance. Keeping this in mind, the team raised questions with regards to the take the responsibility of their families if they get infected with the virus.

The team at MNS shared the same on the official Twitter handle and stated that the government, which has issued circulars that private doctors asking them to run hospitals and provide services, has denied the right to insurance, to the families of doctors who died due to COVID19.

The doctors further added that one of their colleagues passed away in June 2020 while treating patients at his private clinic during the lockdown. However, upon seeking the insurance claim for financial assistance of his family, they were denied the benefit, stating that the 'doctor was a private practitioner' and hence cannot be insured. The rejected application stated that since the doctor was working at a private facility, he was not applicable for the benefit, as it has 'nothing to do with COVID'. 

One of the doctors from the team confirmed that the discussions were held with Raj Thackeray about this insensitive and objectionable role of the state government. They are hopeful about a solution and a way out of this which will provide necessary facilities to private doctors.