Bengal makes NOC mandatory for private practice by Govt doctors, bars NPA recipients

The West Bengal Health Department has introduced new regulations for doctors in government hospitals, requiring them to obtain a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) before engaging in private practice. The directive, issued on Monday, aims to regulate the private practice of government hospital doctors and ensure they remain committed to their primary duties in the public healthcare system.

The NOC is mandatory for any doctor wishing to practice privately outside of their government hospital duties. However, doctors receiving Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) will not be eligible for the NOC. The NPA is provided to those who do not engage in private practice, and as per the new rules, doctors availing this allowance will not be allowed to seek approval for private practice. Doctors wishing to pursue private practice must first obtain authorization from either the Director of Health Education or the Director of Health Services, as per the guidelines.

Private practice will be restricted to a 20-kilometer radius of the doctor’s assigned government hospital or workplace. This condition aims to prevent doctors from neglecting their public duties by practicing at distant locations. The directive also clearly prohibits doctors from using government premises or residential quarters for private practice. Additionally, doctors are not allowed to engage in private practice during working hours, specifically between 9 AM and 4 PM, in order to maintain their commitment to government hospitals.

The directive also outlines the consequences for failing to comply with these rules. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against doctors found violating these regulations, with emphasis on ensuring that their responsibilities at public hospitals are prioritized.

In a separate directive, the Health Department has also implemented new attendance rules for senior doctors at government medical colleges. These faculty members are now required to attend work six days a week. The department has also mandated the presence of senior faculty during night shifts in hospitals. Moreover, senior doctors are required to remain present in the Outpatient Department (OPD) until 2 PM daily. These measures are aimed at improving the quality of healthcare and ensuring senior medical professionals are available for patient care.