Mumbai hospital establish "commission" on referral of patient among Doctors

Mumbai hospital establish "commission" on referral of patient among Doctors

dr RAM,HIV /AIDS,HEPATITIS ,SEX DISEASES & WEAKNESS expert,New Delhi,India, profdrram@gmail.com,+917838059592,+919832025033,ON WHATSAPP

Media and General people often believe that private  Doctors and hospital Gives cut or commission in form of money if a patient is referred by any doctor or a hospital to another doctor or hospital.Some hospital gives almost 15 to 25 % of all profit earned after that patient being treated either conservatively or surgically in this superior hospital by more experienced or specialist.Not only this,but to get more and more referrals,many private hospital has kept a hugh marketing team which meet every mediocre or less speciality Hospitals in that area which may be many districts arounf that hospital or even all over india or even advertise in foreign countries so that these patients come here for treatment and enjoy medical tourism.Ultimately due to this treatment becomes costly and have to beared by patients.

                              To advertise Medical profession and Hospital is barred ethically but starting from mediocre hospital to many named and famous superspeciility Hospitals advertise openly by giving Advertisement in printed media in big news papers,tabloids and different magazines and medical journal,open telecast in TVs are shown and on internet By social media or by making illustrative costly websites ,Hospitals and medical team is exposed to public. Not only his big hospitals send ambulance, doctors,air lifters to bring patients from far places as referred patients .Even it is told that CGHS,ECHS,ESI patients are referred by giving commission to referral dispensaries and in settlement of their bill hugh cut is paid to doctors and accountants in these organisations.MARKETING is the primary tool around which business of most hospitals is based,if no referral or cut,business of hospital will be very less.So a good marketing with a good team using all itenary of advertisement is the key of success.

                      Referral or commission or cut is not only limited to patient's referral but in sending investigations like blood,stool,urine testing,x-ray,usg,ct scan,mri,pet scan,endoscopies angiography all procedures bring some commission to referring doctors by different doctors in Labs,Daignostic centres or hospitals,most new diagnostic centres and hospitals believe that if cut is not provided to referring doctor their establishment will slowly close or will run in very low ebb.Even at some places Commission on sale of medicines is provided in cash beside  Medical sales man provide free samples arrange CME,Refreshment and cultural meet for doctors in big hospitals often weekly beside participating by providing money in form of advertisement in souvenirs,journals,stalls and banners in their annual meet.

                        But it should be clear that such referral cut is not provided by all private hospitals and doctors.Even today ,many Doctors ,Hospitals and Diagnostic centres and Pharma companies donot provide any cut or money or sponsorship to any doctor or society or hospital sending them patients for treatment or for diagnostic purposes.so to brush all with one paint is not justified.

                       Therefore there is uproar in Mumbai as one leading hospital lead by great cardiologist Dr Ravmakant panda who operated ex pm placed bill put board hoardings all over Mumbai where it was written clearly that  ‘Honest Opinion. No Commission to Doctors’ at this hospital.IMA oppose it clealy saying it is nothing but to say openly to public that every Doctor and hospital receives or gives cut or commission so it will badly disrepute all doctors and hospitals in the eye of common people and media will now openly cricise all doctors and hospitals although like this hospital as stated by them there are any other hospitals and doctors also donot practice it.

              Secondly many doctors are saying that this a new style of advertising the hospital as no hospital should advertise and it is now trend ot acclaim in public that we are honest and rest are dishonest but behind the curtain even under their roof many loopholes are taking place .but this hospital refuse to put down such bill board hoarding saying that “We are being flooded with congratulatory calls from many doctors and hospitals after we put up the hoardings and for taking this strong stand against cut practice. The practice of giving commission to ‘get patients’ by doctors and hospitals in India has been cited in various international medical journals. In fact, Dr Bawaskar’s article in the ‘Lancet’ and Dr Samiran Nundys article in the ‘BMJ’ created a stir across the country. They address larger issues in Indian healthcare system,” said the spokesperson.                                

           Dr Himmatrao Bawaskar, the Mahad-based doctor who filed a complaint against a private diagnostic laboratory on cut practice with the Maharashtra Medical Council, told My Medical Mantra, “Dr Panda’s hospital has done this too late. I have been fighting against this menace for past five to six years.”The practice of cut practice or referral fee also finds mention in the Indian Journal of Medical Ethics by a professor of cardiology.

             Dr Bawaskar, who is known for his research on snake and scorpion venom, said the ‘commission business’ in healthcare will not end unless doctors maintain high standards of morality and ethics. “If one doctor stops taking commission, the fraternity will throw him out from the circle. The cut-throat competition in private hospitals is responsible for this. To meet the targets, doctors are forced to engage in such activities,” he said, adding that the ‘commission business’ cannot be curtailed by any agency, and ‘everyone should improve themselves and be moral towards their service’.

                     But will Doctor and hospital stop practice of curt or commission or establish as legal as debated for batting in cricket and many other sports?