Agartala: Doctors and faculty members of Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Pant Hospital have temporarily resumed private practice after the Tripura government failed to issue a formal notification implementing its decision to ban private consultations by doctors at the state’s premier referral hospital.
The state cabinet had earlier approved a complete prohibition on private practice by doctors serving at AGMC and GB Pant Hospital, with the stated aim of improving the quality and availability of public healthcare services. However, more than two weeks after the announcement, the government has yet to notify the policy or release operational guidelines for its implementation.
Following the cabinet decision, many doctors had voluntarily suspended their private practice despite expressing reservations over the proposed ban and its potential impact. In the absence of an official notification, the AGMC Teachers’ Forum convened an executive committee meeting and decided to allow its members to resume private consultations on an interim basis.
According to members of the forum, the temporary decision was taken to ensure continuity of care for patients who have been receiving long-term treatment from individual doctors. The arrangement will remain in force until the government formally notifies the policy.
The forum said doctors were free to decide whether to permanently close their private clinics or continue practicing until the notification is issued. While some doctors have reopened their private chambers, others have chosen to shut down their clinics permanently in anticipation of the government’s final order.
Doctors have also reiterated their demand for key reforms before the proposed ban is enforced. Among their demands are better salaries and service benefits comparable to those offered by other government medical colleges, a transparent promotion policy for in-service doctors, and amendments to the Medical Education Service Rules.
Super-specialist doctors have also raised concerns over the proposed policy. During discussions with representatives of various doctors’ organisations, the Health Secretary reportedly assured them that their legitimate grievances would be addressed within a specified timeframe.
Chief Minister Manik Saha has maintained that the government remains committed to implementing the ban. According to him, the decision was taken following recommendations made by an AIIMS team that visited Agartala under a memorandum of understanding between AIIMS and AGMC.
The policy has, however, drawn criticism from sections of the medical fraternity, who argue that the proposed restriction applies only to doctors attached to AGMC and GB Pant Hospital, while medical officers serving in other government hospitals and health centres are exempt.
The proposed ban has sparked mixed reactions across Tripura’s healthcare sector. Meanwhile, hospital authorities have reported an increase in the number of patients visiting GB Pant Hospital following the initial suspension of private practice by several doctors.