West Bengal: Doctors Outraged by 'Draconian' 72-Hour Private Practice Ban [Protests Erupt]

West Bengal's healthcare system faces potential disruption as government doctors protest a new order banning private practice for 72 hours around patient admission days. The state government cites enhanced patient care, but medical associations deem the directive "draconian" and a violation of doctors' rights, triggering widespread agitation.

The West Bengal government has imposed a 72-hour private practice ban on government doctors around patient admission days and for 48 hours thereafter.
The order is intended to prioritize patient care and ensure more intense monitoring by faculty and doctors.
Doctors' associations are vehemently protesting the ban, labeling it "draconian" and demanding its withdrawal or the option for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS).

State healthcare services in West Bengal face imminent disruption as medical professionals launch widespread protests against a new directive restricting private practice. The West Bengal Health and Family Welfare Department recently issued an order barring faculty members and doctors at government medical institutions from engaging in private practice on designated patient admission days and for the 48 hours following, effectively creating a mandatory 72-hour restriction per admission cycle.

According to state officials, the decision leverages existing service regulations to prioritize patient care. Citing the West Bengal Medical Education Service Rules of 2006, the notification noted that the state may withdraw practice privileges in the public interest. The order emphasized that “closer and more intense monitoring of patients is necessary to be performed by the faculty and doctors on the respective admission days and continued for a further duration of 48 hours thereafter.”

However, the policy has drawn fierce opposition from medical associations. Leading the opposition, the Association of Health Service Doctors, West Bengal (AHSDWB) condemned the order as “draconian and ill-conceived,” warning that its implementation lacks foresight and legal sustainability. In a statement undersigned by Dr. Utpal Bandyopadhyay, the AHSDWB outlined structural flaws in the mandate, noting that clinicians managing two weekly admission days would face an effective blanket ban on private practice. A senior doctor at a government facility termed it a “conspiracy to snatch away the rights of government doctors.”

As doctors organized a march to Swastha Bhaban, AHSDWB issued a call to action detailing their demands. The association argued that if the government maintains its position, “The opportunity for Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) must immediately be opened to enable doctors to choose their constitutional right to profession.” They also vehemently opposed any coercion for doctors to return Non-Practicing Pay (NPP) and demanded the withdrawal of the “discriminatory, arbitrary, and illegal notification.”

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that while the directive aims to bolster public healthcare, it risks alienating a crucial workforce and potentially exacerbating the existing strain on the state's medical infrastructure. The tension between government policy and doctors' professional autonomy can lead to significant service disruptions, impacting patient trust and access to timely medical care. This situation could also set a precedent for other states, following in the footsteps of Karnataka and Kerala, which have also implemented restrictions on private practice for government doctors.

Dr. Rajiv Pandey, secretary of the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes, noted, "This step taken by the government, in a way, if we talk about the government healthcare system, is a welcome step to strengthen it. But at the same time, the facilities for doctors, the government doctors, should be improved further."

While some acknowledge the intent behind the directive, they emphasize that practical operational hurdles remain unaddressed. Dr. Rajiv Pandey highlighted critical gaps in execution and infrastructure, stating that doctors' salary packages should be on par with the central government, and other facilities like living conditions and transport should be arranged. He also pointed out ambiguities for various specialists such as radiologists, dermatologists, and anesthetists who do not have designated admission days, or for doctors with multiple admission days per week, calling for urgent clarification on these points.

Did You Know?: India faces a significant doctor-patient ratio challenge, with government doctors often shouldering a heavy workload in public hospitals while also seeking private practice opportunities to supplement income.