Karnataka Government Restricts Private Practice of Government Doctors to Outpatient Services Only
In a significant move to address patient care concerns, the Karnataka government has imposed strict restrictions on the private practice of its doctors, limiting them to outpatient consultations only. This decision comes in the wake of several recent cases of neglect in state-owned hospitals, some of which tragically resulted in fatalities.
Immediate Implementation of New Regulations
The health department issued an official order on Wednesday, clarifying that government doctors are now prohibited from consulting inpatients as part of their private practice. This regulation takes effect immediately, with any violations to be treated as misconduct and subject to disciplinary action.
Background: Neglect Cases and Official Recommendations
The government's action follows alarming reports from various statutory authorities, including the Lokayukta, which highlighted instances of neglect in government hospitals. The Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission had previously recommended regulating the private practice of government doctors to ensure they prioritize their public service duties.
Harsh Gupta, principal secretary of the health department, explained to The Times of India, "We observed several serious cases of neglect in recent months, prompting us to implement measures for regulating private practice. When a doctor treats an inpatient, they are expected to be available for any complications or emergencies. Although government doctors are only permitted private practice after official duty hours, we found they were receiving calls from private institutions even during their working hours."
Key Provisions of the New Order
The new regulations include several important provisions:
- Government doctors may only engage in private practice for outpatient department services.
- They are restricted to practicing at a single private clinic or hospital, the details of which must be declared to the government.
- Private practice is strictly prohibited during official duty hours.
- Similar regulations are already in place in other states like Kerala, where private practice is allowed only for OPD services under strict conditions.
Ensuring Accountability and Patient Safety
This move aims to enhance accountability among government medical professionals and improve patient safety in public healthcare facilities. By limiting private practice to outpatient consultations, the government hopes to ensure that doctors remain focused on their primary responsibilities in government hospitals, where their presence is crucial for handling emergencies and complex cases.
The health department emphasizes that these measures are necessary to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure that government doctors dedicate their working hours entirely to public service, ultimately benefiting patients who rely on state healthcare systems.
