Private practice! Pregnant women suffer amid ‘doctor’s dual roles’ in Odisha

Khordha district is witnessing frustration among expectant mothers as Dr Monalisa Behera, a government gynaecologist, allegedly continues to see patients at her private clinic while officially on duty at the Jatni community health centre (CHC)—just 200 meters away.

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It is said that pregnant women and other patients seeking consultations are often forced to bypass the hospital and visit her clinic, leading to long waits and mounting dissatisfaction.

Allegedly, the gynaecology and obstetrics OPD at the government hospital remains partially functional, with sessions limited to three days a week. The absence of Dr. Behera during her leave has left no alternative doctor to attend to patients.

Local women, including expectant mothers, have expressed dismay at being turned away repeatedly, forced to spend extra money and time to receive care at her private clinic.

Service rules of the State government clearly prohibit in-service doctors from attending private clinics during their duty hours. Authorities are reviewing complaints to ensure compliance.

Patients continue to wait in vain, highlighting the urgent need for stricter adherence to public healthcare norms.

Attempts to get a response from Dr. Monalisa Behera have so far been unsuccessful.

“We got the information that the doctor (Dr. Monalisa Behera) is present in her clinic. Immediately, our women's wing reached the clinic. When we asked the doctor how she was seeing patients while at the same time being on government service, she replied, ‘she was on leave on health grounds',” a local social activist, Nirupama Kar, expressed.

“She (Dr. Monalisa Behera) was busy seeing a patient in her clinic and misbehaved with us when we queried,” the social activist stated.