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KOHIMA — In a move to streamline the medical department, Nagaland government has set a one-month deadline for in-service government doctors availing non practicing allowance (NPA), to stop private practices.
This was announced by the Commissioner and Secretary of Health and Family Welfare (H&FW), Y Kikheto Sema, in the presence of Additional Secretary S Tainu; Principal Director of H&FW, Dr. Vibeituonuo M Sachu; NHM Mission Director Dr. Ritu Thurr, and other senior departmental officials at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat, on Tuesday.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Sema said an office memorandum to this effect was issued on July 31, 2023, following a series of meetings with the Nagaland In-service Doctors’ Association (NIDA), Nagaland Medical Council (NMC) and other stakeholders, and also the directive issued by Nagaland Lokayukta to the department.
He maintained that as per Nagaland Health Care Establishment Act, 1997, the government has been issuing instructions from time to time on the matter, but in many instances, these instructions were not being complied.
This time, the government would implement the laid down instructions in letter and spirit, he said.
The in-service government doctors, who are availing NPA and involved in private practice in private hospitals or clinics, have been directed to either stop private practice or to forgo their NPA within one month from the date of issue of the office memorandum, the commissioner and secretary stated.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]The memorandum stated that in-service government doctors not availing NPA may be allowed to provide private consultations and services, with prior approval of the competent authority, to the needy patients, strictly during non-working hours.
It also directed all the private hospitals, clinics and nursing homes not to engage any in-service government doctors, nurses, technicians and health workers in their establishments, and added that failing to comply with the directive, their license shall be liable for cancellation.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Further, the memorandum pointed out that there are instances where some in-service government doctors and health workers are irregular at their place of posting, which hampers the health care delivery system in their respective health units.
In this regard, the government reiterated that in the event of report of absence from the place of posting without proper leave permissions from the competent authority, action will be initiated as per the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968 and the Nagaland Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1967.
Sema informed that out of around 300 medical doctors availing NPA, which is about 25% of the basic pay that cost the state’s exchequer INR 9 crore annually, some 50 doctors are unethically availing the NPA.
Following the completion of the one-month notice period, the government will take appropriate action as per the relevant rules and laws, he said.
The health official further informed that the department will be carrying out a rationalisation of the department with transfer and posting to address the manpower issue in various districts.
The NMC president Dr. Joyce Angami, also expressed concern about the unethical practices of some medical fraternity members.
Meanwhile, the H&FW department has also informed that the timing for Out Patient Department (OPD) in all the state government health units has been rescheduled from 8:30 am - 2:30 pm to 9 am – 3 pm, with effect from August 10.
The Commissioner and Secretary also expressed optimism that MBBS classes at the Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR), Kohima, will start by first week of September, in line with the medical institutions across the country.
The Principal Director of H&FW also informed that the directorate of Technical Education is currently conducting counselling for the students.