Madhepura MP Papu Yadav’s supporters stage dharna over doctors’ consultation fees; IMA refuses to buckle

Over two dozen Saharsa doctors had met Saharsa DM on Wednesday requesting him to ensure their “safety” and “freedom to practice in a fear-free atmosphere”.

The controversial RJD Madhepura MP Pappu Yadav had “requested” doctors of Kosi region (Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Purnea and Araria) to curtail their fees from existing Rs 200-Rs 500 to Rs 150-Rs 300. The region has over 500 doctors. Yadav said: “I am standing for the poor, who are being fleeced and prescribed medicines which are available at certain medical shops. It is not an order but a request. I have also written to IMA and civil surgeons of some districts”.

IMA, Bihar president Dr Rajiv Ranjan Ranjan Prasad, however, told The Indian Express: “Who is Pappu Yadav to regulate doctors’ fees? Is there no government in Bihar? I know he is an MP. He should rather help formulate an uniform policy to regulate fees in Parliament rather than trying to pick up a soft target in Kosi doctors”.

Dr Prasad, however, said IMA would take call on mandatory registration of doctors under Bihar Nursing Act after Patna High court gives a verdict on related matter. Dr Prasad said the IMA had called a meeting and might take up the matter with central IMA and Bihar government if needed.

Saharsa IMA president Dr UC Mishra added things seemed to go beyond the “demand of curtailing fees”. “Just imagine the plight of doctors when hoards of supporters reach their clinics. We are under a spell of fear. Let there be regulation in Bihar on fees but not in the matter Pappu Yadav wants it”, said Dr Mishra.

Sanjay Soni, a Saharsa resident, said there had been certainly a lobby of doctors and pathologists, who charge more than other districts. “But general public perception is that regulation should come from the state government, not through an MP”, said Soni adding that Pappu Yadav had been trying to get “political mileage and gain further political ground” for 2015 elections.