Punjab: Govt doctors continue to indulge in private practice despite ban

Patiala: Despite the government's repeated warnings against private medical practice, few doctors, including nodal officers and Senior Medical Officers (SMOs) of the Punjab Health department, continue to practice at their residences and private clinics even after the ban on such practice. 

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported in March this year that reports of senior doctors including the heads of various departments (HODs) of Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, indulging in private medical practice despite receiving non-practising allowance (NPA).

A non-practice allowance(NPA) is a special allowance given to doctors employed by the central government (of India) and certain state governments. A medical officer who refrains from private practice can ask for such an allowance.

Also read- Punjab Govt. Doctors Under Radar Over Private Practice

Many of these doctors are continuing their private practice from their residence, though authorities have warned them repeatedly not to indulge in private practice as they are already accepting NPA from the government.

Although the government has banned the private practice, some doctors have recently come under the radar of providing treatments to private patients and attending to them in their government residences.

The Tribune reports that one of the nodal officers of the health department has been found attending private patients at the office of the Civil Surgeon.

Some doctors have also hired private persons who bring patients to them and after checking the patient's condition, the doctor refers the patient to a private chemist shop so that the doctor can make a profile from the deal.

Earlier it was found that some of the doctors were using non-identical clinic names to offer private consultation, some even advertised their clinics by putting up signboards at the Rajindra hospital.

Now, patients who visit the government hospital for treatment are often referred to private clinics by some SMOs and nodal officers to avail better benefits. Moreover, the officers also refer patients to their family-run private labs for medical tests.

There is no denying that officials of the health department are unaware of such incidents happening within their department. Even after having information about such practices, officials of the Health Department have turned a blind eye towards private practice by doctors.

When asked about the private practice by these doctors, Civil Surgeon Varinder Garg said, "Private practice is banned by the government. I will write to all SMOs and nodal officers to not indulge in private practice."

Also read- West Bengal: NOC Mandatory For Engaging Govt Doctors, Health Dept Issues Advisory For Private Hospitals And Clinics