Ayurveda interns prescribe allopathic medicines at Govt Gandhi Nagar Hospital

7/24/2017

Nitesh Sangral

Early Times Report 

Jammu, July 24: Believe it or not, the Health Department of Jammu and Kashmir is least bothered to monitor whether rules are being followed or not. In a glaring example of the lethargic approach, the interns of Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) are allowed to write prescription slips of patients, who visiting to get treatment at Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar Jammu, putting patients' lives at great risk.

Pertinently, interns of the MBBS and BAMS have no right or authorize to write on prescription slips of patients as they are less experience.

An attendant (social activist), who does not want to disclose his name, told Early Times that the candidates, who are pursuing BAMS, have to do internship in government hospitals in the State and learn from senior doctor but when I visited at the room no 10 in Govt Hospital Gandhi Nagar, where interns are writing prescription slips of patients instead of learning, some doctors, they are being asked interns to do so. "An intern told me when talked to her," he added.

Raising fingers on the working of Directorate Health Services Jammu as well as administration of the hospital, he slammed that non-serious and callous approach of concerned authorities. Despite knowing, the interns- who have not completed their degree yet and are not expert in their respective fields, have been allowed them to play with the lives of the patients by some doctors.

"Besides, as per rules and regulations in the State, non-allopathic practitioners such as practitioners of Indian System of Medicine have no right or power to practice allopathic medicine. Such practice is unrealistic and against the benefit of the patients," doctors stated, adding that the government is clubbing Allopathic and Ayurveda which might be proved harm to patients' health.

"I wonder how the health department took the decision (by allowing them) without thinking about its consequences. There is dire need of working on it before implementing, " officials within the department pointed out, adding but who cares?

He suggested that state government should promote them by providing several trainings in their field. They (interns) are not certified doctors yet to prescribe allopathic medicines. Little knowledge is dangerous thing, so they should not be engaged in this job.

Dangerous Despite knowing, the interns- who have not completed their degree yet and are not expert in their respective fields, have been allowed them to play with the lives of the patients by some doctors.

Management of the hospital admitted that such type of practice is being done by interns and numbers of times they were warned by the authority. "We have already issued a circular in which clearly mentioned that interns are not allowed to write anything on prescription slips. But some time in cases of influx of patients as well as shortage of doctors, the interns can write but it should be under the notice of a senior doctor," he added.

Medical Superintendent of the Hospital Dr Madhuri Slathia said that the matter was not under her knowledge and assured that she will look into the matter.