Agartala, June 24 (IANS). The Tripura government has decided to ban the private practice of doctors and faculty associated with the state’s government medical colleges, Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital. However, the opposition Congress has criticized the decision and said it could have a negative impact on the state’s health services and medical education.
Giving information about the decision taken in the cabinet, government spokesperson and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Sushant Chaudhary said that in the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Saha, the proposal was approved that the faculty and medical officers associated with AGMC and GBP Hospital will not be allowed to practice private.
The minister said that the state government has decided to increase the basic salary of these doctors by 20 percent, which will be given as non-practicing allowance. He said that a detailed notification of this decision will be issued soon. The government aims to improve health services and increase accountability in the state’s premier medical institution.
Quoting the Chief Minister, the Minister said that despite modern equipment and better infrastructure, complaints continue to be received regarding patient services.
The government has taken this decision after discussions with doctor organizations and other stakeholders.
Currently, around 350 faculty members and medical officers are working at AGMC and GBP Hospital, which is the largest and oldest referral hospital in the state.
The government has said that this policy will initially be limited to only AGMC and GBP hospitals and after reviewing its impact, it can be implemented in other government hospitals also.
At the same time, Congress leader and former Health Minister Sudhip Roy Barman has opposed the decision. He said that this may lead to many experienced doctors taking voluntary retirement so that they can continue private practice.
He warned that this would affect both studies and care of patients in the medical college.
Roy Burman has appealed to the government to reconsider this decision before issuing the notification.
–IANS
AMT/ABM
