No pvt practice during official hours, J&K govt warns doctors
The Jammu and Kashmir health department has directed officials not to allow any doctor who is on the establishment of the Health and Medical Education Department to indulge in private practice during official hours and duty rosters.
The Health and Medical Education Department (H&ME) has said that such practice by doctors has led to the loss of the public exchequer under the Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme and hence tantamount to an offense under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The directions have been issued by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Principal Secretary to the Government, Health and Medical Education Department.
Manoj Kumar Dwivedi in order has said that it has been observed that certain doctors borne on the establishment of the Health and Medical Education Department are indulging in private practices during official hours as well as while they are on duty rosters in the Government Health Institutions.
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, the order reads.
“It has also come to notice that certain doctors are recommending medical intervention in their private clinics instead of attending the same in the Government health institutions where they are posted”, the order reads.
“This resulted in the loss of public exchequer under Ayushman Bharat/SEHAT scheme and hence tantamount to an offense under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. This is also to be construed as misconduct and violation of Civil Services Conduct Rules”, the order reads.
It has further 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 doctors who are skipping their duties and indulging in private practices in other places are also being viewed very seriously, the order further said.
“It is, accordingly, impressed upon all HoDs and DDOs not to allow any doctor borne on the establishment of Health and Medical Education Department to indulge into these malpractices resulting in loss of Government exchequer and weakening of public services”, Manoj Dwivedi said in the order.
“Strict vigilance shall be kept and such cases will be recommended for strict action by the Regulatory Authorities. These instructions shall also apply to Para-medical staff who are found indulging in the same practices. The monthly report in this regard will be furnished by all HoDs”, the order reads.
