Bengal mandates NOC for government doctors practicing in private hospitals to ensure accountability

The Bengal government has introduced a strict No Objection Certificate (NOC) requirement for all government-employed doctors seeking to work in private hospitals. Enforced under the 2017 Clinical Establishment Act, this regulation aims to ensure that government doctors prioritize their roles in public healthcare facilities before engaging in private practice. Health Department officials, with backing from the State Secretariat, have confirmed that enforcement will be stringent, with any violations potentially leading to disciplinary actions.

Under the new policy, government doctors must secure an NOC from the Health Department to work in any private hospital or nursing home, with the rule applying to general practice as well as specialized surgical procedures. While this regulation has technically been in place since 2017, it was previously loosely enforced, allowing many doctors to freely practice outside their government roles. The Health Department’s renewed focus on enforcement reflects a broader initiative to bring greater transparency and accountability to Bengal’s healthcare system, ensuring that doctors fulfill their primary obligations in public hospitals.

The new NOC requirement also interacts with Bengal’s Swasthya Sathi scheme, a state-run health insurance program that allows financially vulnerable citizens to access private hospital care. Several private hospitals within the Swasthya Sathi scheme rely on government doctors to maintain their staffing levels, and officials acknowledge that enforcing the NOC rule could disrupt this arrangement. Concerns have been raised regarding how the rule might impact patient access to healthcare services, especially in semi-urban and rural areas where private facilities play a significant role in supplementing limited healthcare resources.

This move follows recent remarks from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who, in a meeting with junior doctors, cited the involvement of government doctors in private practice during the recent strike at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Banerjee revealed that 563 government doctors reportedly continued to work in private hospitals during the strike, raising questions about their commitment to public service. This disclosure has intensified the government’s decision to enforce the NOC rule, with Health Department officials emphasizing that the regulation will help ensure that public sector doctors remain dedicated to their public healthcare responsibilities, especially during periods of crisis.