HC slams govt doctors opting for private practice over govt duty

Raipur: While considering a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) aimed to address the shortcomings in public health service across the State, the Chhattisgarh High Court recently expressed grave concern over the failure of the Government doctors in the State to adhere to the prescribed government guidelines.

The HC bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru took cognisance of the issue after a newspaper report alleged that more than half of the government-appointed doctors in Chhattisgarh were neglecting their duties in district hospitals as they were engaged in private practice of their own, Law Trend has reported.

Referring to the "lack of commitment" on the part of the State government doctors as a matter of "grave concern", the HC bench opined that when doctors in government service choose to go for private practice over their duties, their patients have to face neglect, often leading to severe challenges in accessing timely medical care.

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As per the latest media report by Law Trend, the case was initiated by an office reference based on a report from Bilaspur Bhaskar dated November 5, 2025. The report highlighted troubling allegations mentioning that while altogether 503 Government-employed doctors are present in Chhattisgarh, 268 are reportedly conducting private practices and as a result, failing to fulfill their responsibilities in the district hospitals. Reportedly, such apparent disregard for official duties is causing severe hardship for the patients who rely on public health services.

Advocate General Mr. Prafull N. Bharat and Mr. Nitandh Jaiswal, Public Litigator, were present before the Court to address the matter. The bench sought a personal affidavit from the State Secretary of Health and Social Welfare Department while underscoring the urgent need to ensure adherence to the medical service guidelines.

"The lack of commitment to mandated public health services by state doctors is an issue of grave concern. When doctors employed by the government opt for private practice over their duties, it is the patients who bear the brunt of this neglect, often facing severe challenges in accessing timely medical care," the HC bench observed.

In the affidavit, the State is expected to provide comprehensive details on the actions taken by the Government to enforce compliance with the guidelines and ensure that government doctors fulfil their duties at the district hospitals. The HC bench has listed the matter for further hearing on November 13, 2024.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that last month, the Chhattisgarh High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of an alleged medical negligence incident reported at a government medical facility in the State, where a father struggled to get medical attention for his severely injured son. Allegedly, the medical facility did not have any doctors and therefore, the patient was referred to the Chhattisgarh Institute of Medical Sciences (CIMS). The incident was reported in a local newspaper Haribhoomi Newspaper, Bilaspur.

To view the order, click on the following link:

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