Karnataka bars Govt doctors from treating in-patients in private hospitals
Bengaluru: Clarifying rules on private practice, the Karnataka government has strictly prohibited government doctors from treating in-patients in private hospitals, citing concerns that it could disrupt services in government hospitals.
The government said that treating inpatients at private hospitals can interfere with doctors’ regular government duties. Therefore, government doctors are not allowed to admit or treat inpatients, or proposed inpatients, in private hospitals under any circumstances.
However, the order allows government doctors to continue private practice only for out-patient (OPD) cases. Such OPD practice must be done outside official duty hours and should not affect their government responsibilities. Doctors can provide OPD services only at one declared private clinic or hospital, the details of which must be officially informed to the government.
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The order also warns that any violation of these conditions will be treated as misconduct. Doctors found violating the rules will face disciplinary action under the Karnataka Civil Services Rules, in addition to any other legal action permitted by law.
The order issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department on January 28 stated, "In light of the facts explained in the Preamble, it is hereby clarified that the treatment of in-patients at private hospitals as part of the private practice by government doctors may interfere with the discharge of their regular government duties. Accordingly, it is instructed that treatment of in-patients (IPD) or proposed in-patients as part of private practice by government doctors is strictly prohibited."
"Therefore, the private practice by Government Doctors shall be restricted only to OPD (Out-Patient Department) cases and shall be undertaken without hampering the regular duties as well as outside the official duty hours. Further, as already instructed, such private practice for OPD cases can be carried out only at any one private clinic or hospital, the details of which shall be declared to the government," reads the order.
It further added, "Violation of the above conditions shall be treated as misconduct and shall attract disciplinary action under the relevant Karnataka Civil Services Rules, in addition to any other action permissible under law. This clarification shall be read in conjunction with the existing Government Orders governing private practice and shall come into force with immediate effect."
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