Ranchi: Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari took on the role of a doctor at RIMS on Tuesday, attending the OPD and examining patients himself during his surprise visit. He said the government provides doctors with salary and respect, and anyone abandoning government duty for private practice would not be tolerated. “If someone wants to do private practice, they should resign first. Public rights cannot be compromised,” he said during the inspection.
Known for repeatedly introducing himself as a doctor on public platforms, the minister appeared keen to demonstrate it in action as he used a stethoscope and treated patients in the OPD. He said OPD is the first step of public healthcare and strengthening it requires direct involvement on the ground. He announced that he will sit in OPDs across all districts in rotation, interact with patients and boost the morale of doctors. A new OPD roster will be released soon, with strict monitoring of attendance, punctuality and service quality. Patient grievances will be addressed on the spot.
After the OPD session, Dr Ansari inspected various hospital facilities and issued immediate directives to ensure CT scan, MRI and other diagnostic services function without interruption. He ordered prompt availability of medicines and urgent repair of faulty machines so that patients do not face inconvenience. Several patient issues were resolved on site during the visit.
He gave clear instructions to the superintendent and director, urging them to improve systems and restore public confidence, adding, “This is a government hospital — we have to make it one of the best in the country.”