Karnataka Govt enforces strict duty hours, bans private practice for doctors

Hubbali: The Karnataka government has issued a stern warning to government doctors against engaging in Private practice during duty hours. Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil warned that doctors working in government medical colleges who violate this rule will face disciplinary action, along with deductions in their leave days and salary.

Most states in India prohibit government doctors from engaging in private practice during duty hours. Now, Karnataka doctors working in government medical colleges and hospitals have been asked to follow these warnings accordingly. 

Karnataka’s Medical Education Minister, Sharanprakash Patil, has made it clear that any doctor found doing private practice during official hours will face disciplinary action. In addition to this, their leave days and salary will also be reduced as a penalty for breaking the rules.

He made these remarks during his visit to the Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMCRI) in Hubballi on Tuesday. He also said doctors working in government medical colleges must be present from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and cannot attend to private patients even during lunch breaks. They are only allowed to practice privately after duty hours. 

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This warning comes after multiple complaints were received about some doctors leaving work early or arriving late during lunchtime to see patients privately outside the hospital. To keep track, Patil said that doctors must now give biometric attendance four times a day. CCTV cameras will also monitor their movement

“Doctors have to give biometric attendance four times a day, while CCTV cameras are also there to monitor their movement. They can go for private practice only after working hours. If they are found violating the direction, their leaves will be cut. Deduction in their salary, and other action will follow if the violation continues,” he told Deccan Herald. 

He also mentioned that government doctors are not allowed to prescribe medicines that can only be found in private medical shops. Such shops and generic medicine stores should not be allowed on the premises of government medical colleges, he added. 

"Government medical institutes are given the freedom to procure the medicines they require, instead of having a centralised system at the state level. They are asked to call tenders well in advance. It would be reviewed whether there was any shortage of medicines at the KMCRI," he noted.

On Tuesday, he visited the KMCRI to formally inaugurate the diagnostic digital laboratory, brachytherapy unit, modular operation theatres, renovated sports ground and other facilities. He was accompanied by KMC-RI Director S F Kammar, Hescom Chairman Sayed Azeempeer Khadri, and others.

While talking about the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, he said that the unit is coming up in Hubbali and would be ready in one year. 

When asked about the demand to have a regional cancer treatment centre at the KMCRI, he told the daily, "The institute already has optimal facilities to treat cancer, like chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery and brachytherapy. Proper treatment is offered at KMCRI, though it is overloaded and is the biggest medical facility after Bengaluru and Mysuru."

He assured to give priority to KMCRI whenever new facilities have to be added, and to follow up with the Finance Department regarding the funds required.

"Directors of all medical colleges are instructed to support the acts of philanthropy on the campus. A full-time director of the KMCRI would be appointed shortly, while the in-charge director has the full authority to take decisions," said the minister.

When asked about the long list of patients waiting for kidney and liver transplants, Medical Education Minister Sharanprakash Patil felt the need to revisit the organ transplant policy and to create better awareness about volunteering for cadaver organ donation for transplants.

He said, "across the state, 5,000 people are awaiting kidney transplant and 1,000 people are waiting for liver transplant, mainly due to shortage of donors. A total of 35 kidney transplants are performed at the KMCRI in two years."

Also read- 1807 Surgeries in Private Hospitals, None at GMC! Govt Doctor barred from Private Practice