Private practice during duty hours:

18 doctors transferred
 

RASHOMI Silva

COLOMBO: The Health Ministry will take strict action against Government medical professionals who engage in private practice during duty hours, the Health Ministry announced yesterday.

Those found guilty would be immediately transferred to the North-East, till their inquires are completed and disciplinary action recommended, a spokesperson for the Ministry said.

Accordingly, 18 medical officers and a specialist were transferred to the North-East. Most of them were nabbed while engaged in private practice when they were supposed be in their hospitals, he said.

A medical officer from Ratnapura was found guilty of selling drugs to OPD patients. According to the spokesperson the medical officer had advised patients to buy medicine from his private dispensary, claiming that there was a drugs shortage in the hospital.

The Ministry appealed to the public to volunteer information to the Flying squad about medical officers and other medical practitioners who engage in illegal activities. The Director of the Flying Squad can be reached on 011-2693610.