Ludhiana, September 23
Resentment prevails among homoeopathic practioners in the state over a notification issued in a section of media today by the State Council of Homoeopathy, debarring over 5,200 practitioners (A and B category). There are a total of 6,800 homoeopathic practitioners in the state.
According to the notification, these debarred practitioners can not do practice from the date of issue of notification (September 23, 2003). The homoeopathic Medical Officers, employed in various government dispensaries and hospitals, would not be eligible to examine the patients and prescribe medicines to them. This has caused panic and confusion among the patients as well as the general public.
One of the affected doctors, on condition of anonymity said in Ludhiana district alone more than 1700 doctors had been debarred. He
said, "Council of Homoeopathic System of Punjab started the process of renewal of the registration of the state practioners in the year 1997 by accepting renewal fee of Rs 500, valid for a period of five years, to which there was mixed and feeble response and the practioners continued to practice in the state. Now, after a period of six years, the state council has abruptly issued a public notice, debarring more than 2/3rd of its practitioners".
Another debarred member alleged that the council members were elected by practitioners of the state with the objective that members would safeguard the interest of homoeopathic practitioners. But some of the council members had betrayed the entire homoeopathic fraternity in the state by issuing such a public notice. He alleged that these council members were working for their vested interest and political gains. The agitated homoeopathic practioners demanded immediate dissolution of the state homoeopathic council, whose term, is learnt to have already expired in the mid of September.
Meanwhile, one of the council members, Dr Mohan Singh Zeera, said,
‘‘Time and again, these doctors had been informed about the renewal fee. But they did not take it seriously. Now for registration, these debarred doctors will have to appeal to the committee constituted by the council. The committee would call them and only then they will be registered’’.
