Srinagar: The J&K government on Friday asked doctors and paramedical staff to restrain from private practice during duty hours in health institutions, and warned of “strict action” in case of any violation.
The government also sought monthly reports from HoDs with the direction not to allow any doctor borne on the establishment of the Health and Medical Education department to indulge in malpractices, resulting in the loss to the government exchequer and weakening of public services, news agency GNS reported.
“It has been observed that certain doctors borne on the establishment of the Health and Medical Education department are indulging in private practices during office hours as well as while they are on duty rosters in the government health institutions,” reads a government communique.
“This is in violation of Civil Services Conduct Rules as well as various guidelines issued from time to time and also goes against the ethics of public service for which the doctors have been appointed by the government,” it added.
It said that certain doctors are recommending medical interventions at their private clinics instead of attending the same in the government health institutions where they are posted.
“This results in loss to the public exchequer under Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme and hence tantamounts to offence under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,” the government said, adding that “this is also to be construed a misconduct and violation of Civil Services Conduct Rules.”
It has also come to the notice of the government that many doctors are indulging in private practice in other cities/towns which implies that they are not available at their places of posting in case any emergency arises, the official communiqué said.
“The doctors skipping their duties and indulging in private practices at other places is also being viewed very seriously,” the communiqué reads, adding that it is impressed upon all HoDs and DDOs to not allow any doctor borne on the establishment of Health and Medical Education department to indulge in these malpractices resulting in loss to the government exchequer and weakening of public services.
“Strict vigilance shall be kept and such cases will be recommended for strict action by the Regulatory authorities,” the communiqué reads, adding, “These instructions shall also apply to para-medical staff who are found indulging in same practices. Monthly reports in this regard will be furnished by all HoDs.”
