APPENDIX E-
ACTION TAKEN ON PARA 36 OF THE
 UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COMMITTEE
 REPORT REGARDING PROHIBITION OF
 PRIVATE PRACTICE BY GOVERNMENT
 MEDICAL OFFICERS
 

At their tenth meeting held at Baroda in January, 1944, the Central Advisory Board of Education appointed a Committee to investigate the problems relating to Training, Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Teachers in Universities and other institutions of Higher Education. The Committee under the Chairmanship of Sir Maurice Gwyer, met in October, 1944 and its Report, subject to a few minor modifications, was adopted by the Board, at their annual meeting held in January, 1945.

2. One of the items considered by the Committee was whether in the interest of efficient instruction, teachers should be permitted to take up private practice as well in their professions such as Medicine, Surgery, Midwifery, Law, Engineering, etc.

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In so far as Medical Colleges are concerned, the views of the Ministry of Health were called for. this question was considered at the Health Ministers' Conference held in Delhi in August, 1948. The Conference felt that prohibition could be introduced only in stages and that in the meanwhile salaries of medical officers should be increased. The Conference recommended that the Provincial Governments should explore the possibility of restricting private practice of the doctors in their service in successive stages. But since conditions in respect of the existing scales of pay and of availability of doctors varied considerably in the Provinces and the states, individual Government would have to work out their own schemes for the gradual enforcement of prohibition of private practice.

A copy of the resolution passed by the Conference (copy attached) was sent to each of the Provincial and State Governments for their comments and necessary action. The Provinces generally feel that the private practice of the Medical Officers, etc., in Government service should be discouraged but simultaneously their scales of pay and conditions of service should be improved.

A summary of their replies so far received by the Health Ministry and forwarded to this Ministry is enclosed for the Board's information.

SECOND HEALTH MINISTERS' CONFERENCE-AUGUST 1948 RESOLUTION ON AGENDA ITEM No. 9

Prohibition of private practice by Government Medical Officers

The question of controlling or of prohibiting private practice by. Government doctors is one of great complexity. As an ultimate objective it is essential that India should as pointed out by the Prime Minister in his Opening speech fall in line with other countries and work towards the socialisation of its health services so as to make health protection of the Proper quality and inadequate quantity available to all irrespective of their ability to pay for such services-. A socialised health service would include within its scope the newer conception of.preventive health work on behalf of the healthy in order to promote positive health as much provision of medical care to sick. When such a service extends its operations over the country as a whole where they would be relatively little room for private practice and the ultimate objective would therefore seem to be in the direction of practically complete prohibition of private practice. In the meantime taking into consideration existing conditions this Conference is of the opinion that prohibition can be introduced only in stages and that in the meanwhile salaries of medical officers should be increased. It therefore recommends that Governments should explore the possibility of restricting private practice by doctors in their service in successive stages. In this connection the suggestion put forward by the U.P. Reorganisation Committee for the establishment of Pay clinics is commended for con- sideration by, Governments. This scheme will make the services of well-qualified Government doctors available to a larger section of the community than at present and will also provide some monetary payment to these doctors and institutions.

Conditions in respect of the existing scales of pay and of availability of doctors vary considerably in the Provinces and States and therefore individual Governments will have to work out their own schemes for the gradual enforcement of prohibition of private practice. It is recommended that, where the existing privilege of private practice is completely withdrawn, the system adopted by the Government of India, in Delhi hospitals, of granting 25 per. cent. of the pay of the doctors concerned in lieu of practice may be adopted in the Provinces and States. The Conference is further strongly of the opinion that as medical officers of the Public Health Depart-

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ment are not in many cases adequately paid at present, the granting of the 25 per cent. suggested above should be made in addition to their existing scales of pay with a view to attracting a better type of.officers. Where existing scales of, pay for Public Health Officers

compare unfavourably with those of corresponding officers. in the Medical Department, the pay of Public Health Officers should be raised to the level of those in the Medical Department before the 25 per cent. increase recommended above is added.

Summaries of the replies received from Provincial and State Governments etc.

Provinces.

W. Bengal.-The matter is under consideration. Private practice has been stopped in the case of Rural Medical Officers.

Central Provinces and Berar.-This Government favour the proposal of 25 per cent. increase in salaries in lieu of prohibition of private practice but financial stringency debars any consideration at present.

Orissa.-Owing to acute shortage of medical men and limited number of private practitioners complete prohibition of private practice by Government doctors is considered inadvisable but it is agreed that gradual prohibition should be aimed at. The case of prohibition of private practice by some junior doctors is under consideration. The Provincial Government also agree that reasonable compensation should be given when private practice is prohibited.

East Punjab.-The Government propose to appoint a Committee to re- view the position regarding the private practice followed by Government Medical Officers and they will consider the suggestions made in the resolution. Restriction of private practice cannot be considered separately from the questions of revision of pay scales and changes in the conditions of service.

United Provinces.-Due to dearth of doctors and other difficulties private practice of medical officers has been allowed to continue for the present. Stoppage of private practice by teachers at Medical Colleges is under active consideration.

Centrally Administered Areas.

Ajmer-Merwara.-The Administration agree that Government Medical Officers should be prohibited by stages, from carrying on private practice and should be given 25 per cent. increase in salary as compensation.

Coorg.-Existing rules allow private practice without interfering with the regular duties in hospitals and dispensaries. It is not considered desirable to prohibit private practice as the few qualified private practitioners will be confined to urban areas only.

Indian States.

Baroda.-Most of the posts in Medical Department are whole time. Private practice is allowed without detriment to Government work. Under present conditions it is not considered advisable to restrict this in most cases. Private practice is not allowed to some

incumbents holding posts in Military Lines, Jails and at the Palace but they are given extra allowances. In Sanitary Department private practice is not allowed nor is additional allowance given.

Cochin.-Medical Officers in the Medical Department are allowed private practice but those in the Public Health Department are not.

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Medical officers in the Public Health Department are given suitable allowance for loss of private practice. The Government have decided to continue the present arrangements.

Hyderabad (Deccan).-Restriction of private practice is being introduced. All employees of the Public Health Department and senior Administrative Officers are not allowed to carry private practice.

Mysore.-Before prohibiting private practice scales of pay of doctors should be sufficiently raised.

Saurashtra.-Government Medical Personnel are allowed to charge fees from private patients but it may be possible to gradually eliminate private practice and to give compensatory allowances instead.