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Bihar Bans Private Practice for Government Doctors Amid Healthcare Reforms

The Bihar government has imposed a complete ban on private practice by all government doctors, including faculty at medical colleges. The move is part of the Saat Nishchay-2 initiative to reform public healthcare by ensuring doctors' full availability in government facilities. To compensate for lost income, doctors will receive a Non-Practicing Allowance. The decision has sparked significant concern and backlash from the medical community over potential morale and staffing issues.

Key Points: Bihar Bans Government Doctors' Private Practice

  • Complete ban on private practice for govt doctors
  • Part of Saat Nishchay-2 healthcare reform
  • Doctors to receive Non-Practicing Allowance
  • Aims to reduce absenteeism and improve public hospitals
  • Applies to all levels including medical college faculty
2 min read

Bihar bans private practice of government doctors​

Bihar bans private practice for government doctors to improve public healthcare. Doctors to get NPA as compensation, sparking backlash from medical community.

"public servants drawing salaries from the state exchequer will not be permitted to run parallel private practices - Bihar Health Department"

Patna, April 11

Amid the ongoing political churn in Bihar over leadership changes and Nitish Kumar's impending move to the Rajya Sabha, the state government has taken a major decision that has sparked concern among thousands of government doctors.​

In a significant policy move, the Bihar Health Department has issued a resolution imposing a complete ban on private practice by government doctors.​

The decision is being seen as a strong administrative step aimed at reforming the state's public healthcare system.​

According to the official order, doctors employed in government service will no longer be allowed to operate private clinics or engage in private practice alongside their public duties.​

The move has been taken in line with the government's Saat Nishchay-2 initiative, which focuses on strengthening public services, including healthcare.​

Officials indicate that the decision stems from long-standing concerns about the poor condition of government hospitals, allegations of doctors' absenteeism, and complaints that patients are being diverted to private clinics.​

By enforcing a strict separation between public duty and private practice, the government aims to ensure better availability of doctors and improved patient care in government facilities.​

To offset the financial impact, the government has announced that doctors will receive a Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) as compensation for giving up private practice.​

However, the move has triggered strong reactions within the medical community.​

Many doctors argue that the decision may affect morale, lead to staffing challenges, and put the overall healthcare system under unintended strain.​

Despite the backlash, the government's stance remains firm - public servants drawing salaries from the state exchequer will not be permitted to run parallel private practices.​

The Bihar Health Department has clarified that the ban will not be limited to district-level doctors.​

It will also apply to the Bihar Medical Education Service cadre, including senior professors and faculty members serving in government medical colleges.​

Notably, the order extends to specialist doctors at premier institutions, including the Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology (IGIC).​

Under the new rules, none of these doctors will be allowed to provide services at private nursing homes or clinics.​

Issued just days ahead of the proposed swearing-in of the new government on April 15, the directive has quickly become the central topic of discussion within the state's health administration and medical fraternity.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
As a doctor's spouse, I see the other side. The government salary, even with NPA, is often not enough compared to private sector earnings, especially for super-specialists. This might lead to a brain drain from Bihar's already struggling healthcare system. The intent is good, but the execution needs careful thought.
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Sarah B
Interesting policy. In many countries, public sector doctors have clear, exclusive contracts. The key will be whether the government can actually improve infrastructure and supplies in state hospitals. You can't expect doctors to provide quality care without proper tools, ban or no ban.
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Vikram M
Typical political timing - just before a swearing-in. Will this be enforced, or will it fizzle out like so many other "strict" orders? The real test is if a senior professor at PMCH or IGIC is actually held accountable. I'll believe it when I see it.
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Anjali F
My father was treated at a govt hospital in Patna last year. We had to literally beg the doctor to see him during his "official hours". He was always in a rush to get to his private clinic. If this ban makes doctors more present and attentive, it's a win for common people like us. 🙏
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Karthik V
Respectfully, this is a half-baked solution. The problem isn't just private practice, it's systemic: understaffing, poor infrastructure, and political interference. Without addressing these, you're just demotivating skilled professionals. The best doctors will simply move to Delhi, Maharashtra, or abroad. Then what?

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