Nagaland in-service govt doctors directed to stop private practice

August 2, 2023 28 Views No Comment

Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 2

The Nagaland government issued a directive on July 31 directing in-service government doctors to stop private practice. The directive was announced by Y Kikheto Sema, Commissioner & Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, at a press conference in Kohima on August 1.

The directive required all in-service doctors, both availing and not availing Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA), and engaged in private practice to either close down their private hospitals or terminate their partnerships within one month.

It said that in-service government doctors who are availing NPA and involved in private practice must either halt their private practice or forgo their NPA within one month from the date of the directive. For in-service government doctors not availing NPA, it said that they may provide private consultations and services with prior approval of the competent authority but only during non-working hours.

Pvt health centres directed not to engage govt doctors
Private hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes were also directed not to engage any in-service government doctors, nurses, technicians and health workers in their establishments. Failure to comply may result in the cancellation of their license, it said.

It also noted instances of in-service government doctors and health workers being irregular in their place of posting, causing disruptions in the health care delivery system. Taking serious note of this, it cautioned against absenting from the place of posting without proper leave permissions, which will lead to action as per the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968, and the Nagaland Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1967.

It reminded that matters relating to private practice by government doctors and Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) are governed by specific notifications and instructions, which have been issued by the Finance Department as early as 2008 and the Department of Health & Family Welfare dating to 2011 under the Nagaland Health Care Establishment Act, 1997. However, it said that in many instances, the laid down instructions have not been complied and even attracting the attention of the Nagaland Lokayukta.

OPD timing rescheduled
The Department of Health & Family Welfare has also rescheduled the timing for the Out Patient Department (OPD) in all State Government Health Units. Taking effect from August 10, 2023, the new OPD hours will be from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Commissioner & Secretary said that the change aims to enhance public service and provide better health care services. Controlling officers were directed to strictly comply with the new schedule.

Surprise Visits to Health Centres
He further informed that the Health & Family Welfare Minister, P Paiwang Konyak, along with department officers, will make surprise visits to all hospitals and health institutions across the state. The visits will be unannounced to ensure a comprehensive assessment of the facilities, he said.

The department is also working on rationalizing workforce to address inequalities in staffing levels within health institutions in all the districts. According to him, the H&FW Minister aims to optimize available resources by placing the right personnel in the right positions through upcoming transfer and posting initiatives.