JOIN USThe CHC comprises of 14 staff led by Dr Durgaprasad M R, a recipient of Rajyotsava award-2004. Though the centre is located in an interior place, about 200 pateints visit the CHC everyday.
Everything was fine untill the members of Sugrama (Federation of elected women members of Gram Panchayat in Karnataka) raised objection against the functioning of Dr Durgaprasad recently.
In a complaint to District Health Officer and Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer, Sugrama President Vrunda A Poojary and Vice President Bharathi Rajendra alleged that CHC Head Dr Durgaprasad has been running a private clinic “Preethi Raksha clinic” at his official government residence (quarters).
Interestingly, the license for the private clinic has been obtained from the Gram Panchayat (Chennaithodi) on November 20, 2010, though the GP meeting was held on November 27, 2010. It means that the GP gave the permission seven days before the meeting was held! But the clinic is being run since 2003, the Sugrama members alleged.
Another grouse of Sugrama members is that Dr Durgaprasad sends most of his patients to Preethi Raksha clinic, headed by his wife Dr Neetha D Prasad, where fee is charged for every consultation. On the other hand, Dr Neetha gives allopathic medicine though she holds only a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) degree.
When contacted, District Health Officer (DHO) O R Srirangappa said that he has already received a complaint in this regard and he has asked the Taluk Health Officer to probe into the issue. “Only after I get a report, the future course of action will be decided,” he said.
When contacted, Dr Durgaprasad said that there is a provision to run private clinic before and after the duty hours of government doctors, under Classification Control and Appeal (CCA) rules of Karnataka Civil Services Rules 1957.
Claiming that his wife is practising only Ayurveda, he alleged that unable to bear with his success, a few persons have been trying to tarnish his image, especially at a time when he is about to get a national award. He also said that he is shifting his private clinic away from the government quarters.