West Bengal Health Department Restricts Private Practice for Government Teacher-Doctors

The West Bengal Health Department has implemented a new restriction barring teacher-doctors serving under the West Bengal Medical Education Service from undertaking private practice on the day a patient is admitted to a government hospital and for the subsequent 48 hours. A senior official confirmed the directive on Monday, stating that the rule covers an effective 72-hour period and came into force immediately.

According to the department, the objective of the order is to ensure that faculty members remain consistently available for patients admitted under their care, thereby maintaining continuity and quality of treatment. Government doctors typically have a designated admission day each week. Under the revised guidelines, these doctors will be restricted from engaging in private practice on that specific day and the following two days, significantly reducing the number of days available for private consultations.

For faculty members who handle two admission days in a single week, the restriction could potentially cover the majority of the working week, directly impacting their private practice schedules.

Reactions to the directive have been mixed. Some doctors have expressed concern that the sudden nature of the restriction could affect patients who are already undergoing ongoing treatment at private facilities under the care of these government doctors. Conversely, several patients have welcomed the measure, noting that guaranteed availability following admission to government hospitals could lead to noticeable improvements in continuity of care.

"Regulatory changes that impact workforce availability and scheduling require careful operational adjustment. While this policy aims to improve patient care continuity in government institutions, it also creates significant operational constraints for professionals balancing public service and private practice. Organizations and professionals navigating policy shifts must prioritize clear communication and structured planning to manage transitions effectively without disrupting service delivery." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes