Andhra Pradesh to Ban Private Practice by Government Doctors, hike their salary

Amaravati: The Healthcare sector in Andhra Pradesh is going to see major revamp, as a high-level expert committee has made several practice-changing recommendations including ban on private practice by government doctors, and hike in their salary. The committee has all in all submitted 100 recommendations that included urgent filling up of vacant posts in government hospitals of the state

Observing the public healthcare sector lacked "clarity and responsibility," an expert committee, for a comprehensive review of the sector in Andhra Pradesh, submitted its recommendations on Wednesday suggesting among other things a ban on private practice by government doctors. Retired IAS officer K Sujatha Rao, who previously served as Union Health Secretary, headed the eight-member committee constituted by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Upon receiving the committee report, the Chief Minister held a high-level review meeting on the recommendations and accepted them, a release from the CMO said.

The committee suggested a ban on private practice by government doctors but recommended a hike in their basic salary. It also suggested filling up of all vacant doctor posts in government hospitals. Speaking on the occasion, Sujatha Rao said the committee made over 100 recommendations for revitalising the health sector in the state. "Basically, the government's outlook towards the health sector should change. People are not coming to government hospitals as they lack basic infrastructure and equipment. The number of patients coming to government hospitals in AP is less than the national average," Sujatha Rao pointed out.