Soon, pvt doctors may be roped in for polyclinics

Aiming to overcome ensure quality healthcare and overcome the shortage of doctors in polyclinics, the Delhi government is planning rope in private doctors. Soon, the government may ask doctors, working in private hospitals, to serve in its ambitious heallthcare facility.

A blueprint in this regard has been prepared by the Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission to further ease the procedures for private medical experts to work at the polyclinics.

While mohalla clinics serve the basic healthcare needs of patients, at polyclinics, they can consult medical experts at various specialty departments such as ophthalmology, orthopedics, ENT, gynaecology and paediatrics. 

At present, 106 mohalla clinics and over 20 polyclinics are functional in the national capital. Doctors at government-run specialty hospitals serve at polyclinics.

Talking about the challenges at polyclinics, a doctor at Paschim Vihar polyclinic said, "The doctors serving at Paschim Vihar polyclinic come from Delhi Government's specialty hospital Bhagwan Mahavir Hospital, which is also facing shortage of doctors. Another challenge which the polyclinic is facing is that a huge number of patients from nearby mohalla clinic also visit the polyclinic."

Citing the challenges in scaling up the mohalla clinics and polyclinics, Dr. Nimmi Rastogi, member, Delhi Dialogue and Development Commission, said, "It is a big challenge to provide accessible and affordable healthcare to a city as large as Delhi. Scaling the primary healthcare system of mohalla clinics and polyclinics healthcare system is an effective solution. However, besides scaling up, providing quality healthcare is also a prime objective."

Talking about the challenges of involving private doctors, Dr Rastogi added, "We have received certain applications from private medical organisations and doctors. Greater work load and lower monetary benefits however are turning most of the doctors away."

Dr Neelam Bohra of Holy Faith Hospital said, "I will be wrong to associate every private doctors with money. Most of the doctors today also want to serve. Rather than recruiting new doctors for the mohalla clinics and polyclinics, the government should also look at the present lot of doctors who want to be a part of such initiative."