Private Practice during Duty Hours: Assam Govt imposes restrictions on Govt Doctors

Guwahati: To curb the private practice of government doctors, the Medical Education and Research Department of the Assam Government has issued a directive prohibiting government doctors from practising at private hospitals and nursing homes during their duty hours. 

Addressing the Health & Family Welfare Department, Dr Siddharth Singh IAS Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam’s Medical Education & Research Department issued an order which stated, "Director of Health Services, Assam may be instructed accordingly to instruct all Private Health Institutions registered under the Clinical Establishment Act to ensure that no government doctor should practice in their establishment during duty hours."

Also read- Nagaland Directs Govt Doctors To Stop Private Practice Within One Month

This directive was issued following a review meeting held by the Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sharma during his visit to Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College & Hospital (FAAMC&H) in Barpeta on June 27, 2024. 

Further, the order stated that the Joint Director of Health Services, Assam has been instructed to carry out periodic inspections of private Clinical establishments to ensure compliance with the provision.

"Onus of compliance of the provision shall lie on the Private Hospitals, Nursing Homes etc. In case of violations, appropriate action as per provisions of law should be taken against such establishments. Monthly reports of such inspections carried out should be submitted to the government, along with recommendations for action to be taken, if any," adds the order. 

Medical Dialogues team previously reported in May that Professor Dr Khurshid Ahmad Wani, the recently appointed Principal of Government Medical College Handwara issued a stern warning to all doctors of its Associated Hospitals of immediate termination without any prior notice if they are found practising during working hours. 

Also read- Private Practice During Duty Hours: Principal GMC Handwara Warns Doctors Of Termination