Assam Government Enforces Ban on Private Practice by Government Doctors During Duty Hours

In a significant move aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery, the Government of Assam has issued a directive prohibiting government doctors, including those serving in medical colleges, from engaging in private practice during their designated duty hours. 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. Various other reformative measures were adopted in the meeting.

The official communication, signed by Dr Siddharth Singh, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Assam’s Medical Education & Research Department, instructs the Health & Family Welfare Department to ensure strict compliance with this directive. The government aims to curb the practice of government doctors working in private nursing homes, hospitals, and other medical institutions during hours when they are expected to be serving in government facilities.

Key points of the directive include:

Directive to Health Services: The Director of Health Services, Assam, is to instruct all private health institutions registered under the Clinical Establishment Act to prevent government doctors from practising in their establishments during duty hours.

Periodic Inspections: The Joint Director of Health Services, Assam, has been tasked with carrying out regular inspections of private clinical establishments to ensure adherence to this new regulation.

Compliance Responsibility: The onus of ensuring compliance rests on the private hospitals and nursing homes. In cases of violations, legal actions will be taken against the offending institutions.

Monthly Reporting: A monthly report of inspections and any actions taken must be submitted to the government, along with recommendations for further measures if necessary.

This directive is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve the quality of public healthcare services and ensure that government doctors are fully available to serve in their assigned public health institutions. The government hopes that by restricting private practice during duty hours, doctors will be more focused on their responsibilities within government facilities, thus enhancing patient care and medical outcomes.

The Director of Medical Education, Assam, has been instructed to coordinate with the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) to ensure compliance with these provisions. The Principal Private Secretary (PPS) to the Hon’ble Chief Minister has also been notified of these new measures.

This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to prioritizing public health and ensuring that government healthcare resources are utilized efficiently and effectively for the benefit of the people of Assam.