Wayanad government doctor under vigilance scanner for alleged private practice

Kozhikode: A government doctor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Government Medical College, Mananthavady, in Wayanad district, was allegedly involved in private practice despite drawing a non-practising allowance from the state government.

The case came to light during a surprise inspection conducted by the Kozhikode unit of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau following a tip-off that some doctors working in government medical colleges were also practising in private hospitals, reports PTI.

According to vigilance officials, an associate professor in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Government Medical College, Mananthavady in Wayanad district, was found to be practising at a private hospital in Kottakkal in Malappuram district.

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The inspection was carried out on June 5 by a Vigilance team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police K K Biju.

According to preliminary findings, the doctor receives a monthly salary of around Rs 3 lakh from the government medical college.

Vigilance officials also claimed that he was drawing an additional monthly income of about Rs 7 lakh from the private hospital where he was allegedly practising.

Officials said the inquiry is part of a wider crackdown on government doctors who receive a non-practising allowance but are suspected of working in private hospitals.

According to vigilance sources, nearly 200 such doctors are currently under surveillance, and further action will be taken based on the findings of ongoing investigations.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that, clarifying rules on private practice, the Karnataka government has strictly prohibited government doctors from treating inpatients 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.

Also Read:Bihar govt doctors oppose private practice ban, demand non-practice allowance