Patna: In a move aimed at strengthening public healthcare services, the Bihar govt on Saturday decided to ban private practice by allopathic doctors serving in govt institutions across the state.The decision was taken under CM Nitish Kumar’s Saat Nischay-3 programme and its health objective of “Accessible health, safe life”. The decision was formalised through a resolution issued by the health department on Saturday.According to the resolution, the state govt has approved the proposal submitted by the health department, making private practice impermissible for allopathic doctors belonging to three cadres: Bihar Health Services, Bihar Medical Education Services and Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology Medical Service.Health secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh confirmed that the govt has taken the decision to prohibit private practice by govt allopathic doctors. He said detailed guidelines regarding non-practising allowance and additional incentives for affected doctors would be issued separately after approval from the competent authority.The move follows an announcement made by CM Nitish Kumar during his Samriddhi Yatra in Jan, when he said the govt was focused on ensuring better health facilities for people through govt institutions and would stop private practice by govt doctors.After the CM’s announcement, the health department constituted a committee to prepare a policy framework on the issue.The govt is expected to introduce a compensation mechanism through non-practising allowance and other incentives to offset the impact of the ban on doctors in govt service. The measure is being seen as part of a broader effort to improve the availability and accountability of doctors in public hospitals and medical institutions across Bihar.With the order now in place, allopathic doctors in the specified govt cadres will no longer be permitted to engage in private medical practice in the state.
