Bengaluru : The Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission, headed by former chief secretary TM Vijay Bhaskar, has observed that a large number of doctors in government health centers indulge in private practice after official duty hours and has recommended a “ban (on) private practice by government doctors in all departments”.
The commission — which submitted its recommendations to the government on Friday, 3 February — noted that the ban on private practice will help the state start evening Out Patient Departments (OPDs) in government hospitals. “If doctors are barred from the private practice they may be more willing to put in extra hours to make up for vacant posts. It would also be easier to ensure their attendance in government hospitals during duty hours if there is no pull of private practice,” the commission’s report stated.
Arguing against private practice, the commission said there were an adequate number of doctors in Karnataka — in fact, better than the norms set by WHO — and there are enough private doctors and private medical establishments to cater to the public that can afford to pay private fees. “So far, about 20 States have banned private practice. It is also banned in GoI (Government of India) medical institutes and in Central Health Service Rules. It is therefore recommended that Government of Karnataka consider banning private practice by all Government doctors of all departments in the interest of ensuring better medical care to patients in Government hospitals. DME and HFW department may move a proposal in this regard,” it said.
