Government Moves to Strengthen Public Healthcare Services in State-Run Medical Institutions
In a significant policy decision aimed at improving healthcare delivery in government hospitals, the Tripura Cabinet has decided to prohibit faculty members of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and medical officers of Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital from engaging in private practice. The decision was announced by Cabinet Spokesperson and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury.
According to the minister, the move is intended to ensure that doctors and faculty members devote their full professional attention to government healthcare institutions and enhance the quality of medical services provided to patients. The policy will initially be implemented only at AGMC and GBP Hospital.
Doctors Must Choose Between Government Service and Private Practice
Clarifying the Cabinet’s decision, Chowdhury stated that faculty members and medical officers serving at AGMC and GBP Hospital will no longer be allowed to run or attend private clinics while holding government positions.
“Faculty members and medical officers at AGMC and GB Hospital are not permitted to engage in private practice. If someone voluntarily declares that they will only engage in private practice and will not continue their job at GB, they are free to resign. That is their choice. However, they cannot engage in private practice while holding a government position,” he said.
The minister further added that doctors who wish to continue private practice can do so only after resigning from their government posts.
Government Approves 20% Non-Practicing Allowance
To compensate doctors affected by the restriction, the Tripura government has approved a 20 percent Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) on their basic salary. The allowance is expected to provide financial support to government doctors who will no longer be permitted to undertake private consultations.
Notification to Come into Effect After Gazette Publication
Chowdhury informed that the Cabinet decision will be implemented through an official notification. Once the Cabinet minutes are issued and the notification is published in the official gazette, the order will become effective immediately.
Decision Taken After Consultations With Doctors’ Associations
The minister revealed that the proposal had been under discussion for several months and was deliberated with doctors’ associations before being placed before the Cabinet. The proposal was eventually approved under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Manik Saha.
“Earlier, there were departmental decisions, but this time it is a proper Cabinet decision. The decision has been taken under the leadership of the Honourable Chief Minister,” Chowdhury said.
AIIMS Model and Finance Commission Recommendations Considered
The state government noted that similar systems are already operational in premier institutions such as AIIMS and in several other states across the country. Inputs from AIIMS representatives and recommendations of the Sixteenth Finance Commission were also taken into consideration while formulating the policy.
Government Aims to Improve Accountability and Patient Satisfaction
While highlighting ongoing infrastructure upgrades at GBP Hospital, the minister acknowledged that concerns regarding patient satisfaction and service quality continue to exist in public healthcare facilities. The government believes that restricting private practice among government doctors will improve accountability, availability of doctors, and overall healthcare delivery in state-run institutions.
According to reports, Chowdhury reiterated that faculty members and medical officers who wish to continue attending private clinics have the option to resign from government service and pursue private practice independently.
