To make things worse, District Public Health Offices (DPHOs) have been unable to ensure that doctors report to work regularly. Instead, the doctors do not even bother to take permission from the DPHOs to stay away from work. Moreover, no action is taken by the government against them. Although the Ministry of Health and Population is the apex body to check such malpractices and has the authority to take disciplinary action, it seldom resorts to taking strict measures against errant doctors.
It is clear that the system in Nepal itself helps shield the conducts of unscrupulous medical practitioners. If we could impose a system whereby those failing to report to duty would be duly penalized and punished, the doctors would be more accountable and responsible. Since there are enough loopholes in the functioning of public offices, the wrongdoers can easily escape. Only disciplinary hearing and action can ensure a doctor’s competence, integrity and professional conduct. Moreover, the government cannot be a silent spectator to the grievances of the rural mass when it concerns their basic rights like the access to medical services. It is unfair that the poor are made to suffer and denied health services for no fault of theirs; not to forget that they have limited access to health services in the first place. There must be a place to address grievances of the underprivileged lot. The ministry must solve this problem at once even if it means sending a special team from the capital right away. The country will hugely benefit in the long run if a legislation governing the conducts of the medical practitioners is enacted to ensure that they do not shun responsibilities.
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