K’taka bans government doctors from treating inpatients in private hospitals, Gundurao confirms
Bengaluru: Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has said that the state government has taken steps to ensure uninterrupted medical services in government hospitals, including arrangements to provide round-the-clock healthcare at taluk hospitals through better deployment of doctors.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Shivalingegowda in the Legislative Assembly on disruptions in doctors’ services at government hospitals and the inconvenience caused to the public, the minister said the Health Department is working to address gaps in service delivery.
Clarifying the rules on private practice by government doctors, Gundu Rao said that under existing government orders, doctors working in government hospitals are permitted to offer private services after duty hours, provided it does not affect their official responsibilities.
However, he announced that going forward, government doctors will be allowed to provide private services only for outpatients (OPD). Treating inpatients (IPD) in private hospitals will no longer be permitted.
Explaining the rationale behind the decision, the minister said inpatient care requires continuous monitoring and regular medical attention. If government doctors engage in inpatient treatment at private hospitals, it can disrupt services in government hospitals and adversely affect patient care. He pointed out that there have been instances of negligence in government hospitals, in some cases even leading to deaths, as highlighted by the Lokayukta and senior officials.
He also referred to the Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission, which has recommended stricter regulation of private practice by government doctors to ensure priority is given to public service. Similar restrictions are already in place in states like Kerala, where government doctors are allowed private practice only in OPD services under strict conditions.
In view of these factors, the Health and Family Welfare Department has issued the order along with earlier guidelines to regulate private practice by government doctors. The minister made it clear that government doctors are now strictly prohibited from treating inpatients in private hospitals. They may work only in OPD services at private clinics or hospitals after duty hours, without affecting government responsibilities, and must declare full details of such practice to the government.
Any violation of these conditions will invite legal action and disciplinary proceedings under the Karnataka Civil Services Rules, Gundu Rao warned.
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Biker injured, leopard dies in road accident near forest area in Shivamogga
Shivamogga: A leopard was killed after being hit by a motorcycle near Mandagadde in Thirthahalli taluk of Shivamogga district.
According to reports, the biker was travelling from Shivamogga towards Thirthahalli when the leopard suddenly came onto the road from a nearby forest area near Mandagadde. The rider is said to have lost control of the bike and crashed into the animal.
The leopard suffered severe injuries in the impact and died on the spot. The biker also fell onto the road along with the motorcycle and sustained serious injuries. He was shifted to a hospital in Shivamogga for further treatment.
After receiving information about the incident, forest department officials, including Gajanur RFO Vinay Kumar, visited the spot and conducted an inspection.
