Around 25,000 private medical practitioners in Mumbai are asked to report back to the hospitals treating COVID-19 patients with immediate effect. The doctors are told that they need to spend a minimum of 15 days at the hospital they're going to be posted at. Those failing to report back to the assigned hospital will face action, including revocation of the license to practice.

The notification, signed by Dr TP Lahane, director, Medical Education & Research (Mumbai), was forwarded to all or any private medical practitioners in Mumbai late Tuesday by the Maharashtra Medical Council. Invoking the Epidemic Diseases Act, the Disaster Management Act, and therefore the Maharashtra Essential Service Maintenance (Amendment) Act, the notification said, “Your expert services are required for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 patients, a minimum of for 15 days. You shall, therefore, convey your willingness and place of choice where you'd wish to render your services.”

This is significant, considering many private doctors had shut their clinics after Mumbai emerged because of the eye of COVID-19 in India. Many others who continued to practice refused to look at patients with COVID-19 symptoms like fever, cough, or breathlessness.

They directed such patients to the fever clinics in their localities.

Tuesday’s notification exempted those doctors who are 55 years old and beyond. All doctors also are required to submit a form during which they need to specify their qualification, the Maharashtra Medical Council license number, current work location, and their choice of location for posting. The forms, which are e-mailed to the doctors, got to be submitted to Milind Kamble, BMC’s protocol and liaison officer.

 A few private medical practitioners this newspaper reached bent last night said they're going to abide by the government’s decision, but they were nevertheless worried.