Bihar Health Department Constitutes Committee to Frame Policy Banning Private Practice by Government Doctors
The Bihar state health department has taken a significant step toward healthcare reform by constituting a six-member committee tasked with framing a new policy that will bar government doctors from engaging in private practice. This initiative is in direct alignment with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's Saat Nischay-3 programme, specifically its Sulabh Swastha–Surakshit Jeevan component, which aims to bolster public health services across the state.
Committee to Consult Stakeholders and Submit Recommendations
The newly formed panel is mandated to consult with key stakeholders, including medical professionals and associations, to gather insights and feedback. Following these consultations, the committee will submit comprehensive recommendations to the government. These recommendations are expected to guide the development of incentives for doctors posted in rural areas and outline measures to strengthen public health infrastructure, particularly in remote regions.
State health secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh emphasized on Wednesday that the committee will present its concerns, recommendations, and examples of provisions adopted in other states to aid in the policy formulation process. This approach ensures that the policy is well-informed and tailored to Bihar's unique healthcare challenges.
Leadership and Composition of the Committee
As per an order issued by special secretary Himanshu Sharma on January 27, the six-member committee will be headed by Dr. Rekha Jha, who serves as the director-in-chief (nursing and disease control) of Bihar Health Services and superintendent of Patna Medical College and Hospital. The committee includes other prominent members:
- The principal of Nalanda Medical College Hospital (NMCH)
- Dr. K K Mani, president of the Bihar Health Services Association
- Dr. Rohit Kumar, general secretary of the Bihar Health Services Association
- Dr. Bibhuti Prassan Sinha, professor and head of the ophthalmology department at Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS)
This diverse composition ensures representation from various sectors of the medical community, facilitating a balanced and effective policy framework.
Background and Objectives of the Initiative
The move to ban private practice by government doctors follows the cabinet's clearance of the Saat Nischay-3 programme. During his Samriddhi Yatra earlier this month, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced that government doctors would no longer be allowed to engage in private practice. He stated that this decision is aimed at strengthening government health facilities, especially in rural areas, and ensuring the availability of doctors where they are most needed.
The initiative seeks to address long-standing issues in Bihar's healthcare system by introducing incentives for doctors willing to serve in rural postings while enforcing a strict ban on private practice. This dual approach is designed to improve access to quality healthcare in underserved regions and enhance the overall efficiency of public health services.
By framing this policy, the Bihar government aims to create a more robust and equitable healthcare system, ultimately benefiting millions of residents in remote and rural areas. The committee's work is a critical step toward realizing this vision, with expectations high for transformative changes in the state's medical landscape.
