A Press Conference to declare the Office Memorandum of the Health and Family Welfare Department was held at the Secretariat Conference Hall, chaired by Y. Kikheto Sema, Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, in the presence of the Principal Director H&FW and the President of the Nagaland Medical Council on 1st August 2023. The Press Conference declared the OM containing the matters relating to Private Practice by Government doctors and Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) governed by the Finance Department’s Notifications and related instructions issued from time to time. However, it has been observed that, in many instances, these laid-down instructions are not being complied with in letter and spirit. The issue has also been adversely viewed by Nagaland Lokayukta. In light of the above, the following instructions have been issued:
The In-service Government Doctors both availing as well as not availing NPA and engaged in private practice in their hospitals or in partnership are directed to either close down their private hospitals or to de-associate from such partnership within 1 (one) month from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum.
The In-service Government Doctors who are availing NPA and involved in Private Practice in private hospitals/clinics have been directed to either stop private practice or to forgo their NPA within 1 (one) month from the date of issue of this Office Memorandum.
The In-service Government Doctors not availing NPA may be allowed to give private consultations and services with prior approval of the competent authority to the needy patients strictly during non-working hours.
All Private hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes have been directed not to engage any in-service Government Doctors, Nurses, Technicians, and Health Workers in their establishments. Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of their license.
Instances have also come to the notice of the Government that some In-service Government Doctors/Health Workers are irregular in their place of posting, which hampers the Health Care delivery system in their respective health units. It was reiterated that, in the event of a report of absence from the place of posting without proper leave permissions from the competent authority, action will be initiated as per the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968, and the Nagaland Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1967. Kikheto Sema also highlighted the change in the timing for the Outpatient Department (OPD) in all the State Government Health Units under the Department of Health & Family Welfare, which has been rescheduled from 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM to 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM w.e.f. 10th August 2023.
(Thungti Chang IA)
