The Karnataka government has issued fresh instructions barring government doctors from providing treatment to in-patients admitted to private hospitals as part of their private practice. The move comes amid concerns that such engagements disrupt services in public hospitals and affect continuity of care for patients admitted there.
The State Health Department clarified that although government doctors are permitted to undertake private practice, it must not interfere with their official responsibilities. The department noted that treating in-patients in private hospitals requires extended clinical involvement, which could negatively impact service delivery in government healthcare facilities.
Lokayukta concerns prompted action
The clarification follows observations made by statutory bodies, including the Lokayukta, which highlighted cases where patient care in government hospitals suffered because doctors were attending to private in-patients. In certain instances, authorities linked patient deaths to inadequate supervision arising from doctors’ divided attention.
The Karnataka Administrative Reforms Commission had also recommended tighter regulation of private practice, stressing that public service should take precedence especially in districts facing shortages of medical staff. The Health Department further cited practices in States like Kerala, where government doctors are allowed private practice only for out-patient consultations and under stringent conditions.
Private practice limited to OPD
As per the new directions, government doctors in Karnataka may engage in private practice only through out-patient (OPD) consultations. Such practice must be carried out outside official duty hours and at a single private clinic or hospital, details of which must be formally disclosed to the government. Authorities reiterated that private practice should not affect attendance or routine duties in government hospitals.
Any breach of these conditions will be treated as misconduct and invite disciplinary action under the Karnataka Civil Services Rules, along with other applicable legal measures. The order takes immediate effect and must be read alongside existing government regulations on private practice.
Officials said the need to clearly define the limits of private practice has been under discussion for several months, following complaints from district hospitals and monitoring agencies regarding diverted workloads, fragmented patient care, and delays in ward rounds. While private practice by government doctors has long been permitted in the State, the norms have been periodically reviewed, particularly after incidents that raised concerns about patient safety in public hospitals.
The latest directive is expected to impose additional compliance obligations on government doctors who currently practice at multiple private healthcare facilities.
