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.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bombay HC to form high-powered committee on Mumbai air pollution
Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Thursday said it would form a high-powered committee to oversee the compliance of measures to tackle air pollution in the Mumbai region, noting that the efforts taken so far by state and civic authorities are insufficient.
It was not criticizing anyone but wanted to ensure that "people should live in pure air," said a division bench led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar.
The HC had in October 2023 taken suo motu cognizance of the rising pollution in the metropolis "which was ranging between good, satisfactory, moderate poor, very poor and severe", the bench noted.
Directions were issued by the court on November 6, 2023, and suggestions were made for short-term, mid-term and long-term measures.
Since then, the HC has made observations expressing dissatisfaction about the steps taken by the Mumbai and Navi Mumbai civic bodies, the judges said.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is simply "sailing on its affidavits," but the steps purportedly taken by it were not sufficient, the court stated.
Air pollution in Mumbai has not decreased, in fact it was reported to be very severe in December, said the judges.
"We have apprised ourselves of the previous orders, and find that compliances so far made by (municipal) corporations and MPCB are not sufficient and satisfactory," the court said.
The authorities might have taken serious steps but their results were not visible, it added.
The court expressed inability to examine all the affidavits filed by the municipal corporations and MPCB and reports submitted by an expert committee (formed in 2023), citing the "rising number of dockets and limited hours and time."
After hearing all the parties at length, the high court decided to form a high-powered committee led by a former Supreme Court judge to monitor the compliance of measures to tackle air pollution in Mumbai and the surrounding areas.
The committee should meet on a daily basis, the court said, adding that its members should be provided necessary facilities.
The bench also referred to a suggestion that the citizens affected by pollution should be compensated.
The lawyer for the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation said there are existing statutory bodies to look into this aspect.
"Maybe there are statutory bodies formed in Maharashtra, but then we have not come across any suggestion or action taken by such a body in the present proceedings..." the court said, adding that it was inclined to give "some powers" to the committee.
The court is expected to finalize the names of the committee members in its written order.
