KOHIMA, Aug 1 (NEPS): The Nagaland Government directed the In-service government doctors, who are availing Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) and involved in Private Practice in private hospitals and clinics, to either stop private practice or to forgo their NPA within one month from the date of issue of the Office Memorandum (OM), which was declared during a press conference held at the Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima, on August 1, 2023.
The press conference, which was chaired by Y. Kikheto Sema, Commissioner & Secretary, H & FW, also attended among others by the Principal Director H&FW and the President of the Nagaland Medical Council, declared the OM containing the matters relating to Private Practice by In-service Government doctors and Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) governed by the Finance Department’s Notifications and related instructions issued from time to time.
It, however, said the laid-down instructions are not being complied with in letter and spirit. The issue has also been adversely viewed by Nagaland Lokayukta, it added. Therefore, the In-service Government Doctors both availing as well as not availing NPA and engaged in private practice in their hospitals or in partnership are directed to either close down their private hospitals or to de-associate from such partnership within one month from the date of issue of this OM.
The In-service Government Doctors not availing NPA may be allowed to give private consultations and services but it should be with the prior approval of the competent authority to the needy patients strictly during non-working hours.
In addition, it has been mandated that no in-service government doctors, nurses, technicians, or health workers may work in any private hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes. Additionally, it warned that their licence would be cancelled if they didn’t comply.
Additionally, it stated that the government had learned that several currently employed government doctors and health workers were irregular in their postings, which hampered the delivery of healthcare at the corresponding health units. It was emphasised that action would be taken in accordance with the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968, and the Nagaland Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1967, in the case that a report of absence from the place of posting was made without the required leave approvals from the relevant authorities.
Kikheto Sema also called attention to the shift in the hours of operation for the Outpatient Department (OPD), which has been moved from 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM to 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM as of August 10, 2023, in all State Government Health Units under the Department of Health & Family Welfare.