Agartala, June 26: A forum of superspecialist doctors has opposed the Tripura government’s decision to ban private practice by faculty members and medical officers at Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and GB Pant Hospital, stating that the move was introduced without adequate consultation and would not improve healthcare outcomes unless deeper systemic issues are addressed.
In a letter addressed to AGMC and GB Pant Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. Bidhan Goswami, the Superspeciality Doctors’ Forum said the decision was “formulated and brought forward without adequate consultation with the stakeholders directly involved in patient care.”
The forum, which comprises 14 superspecialist doctors, said several members had joined government service when there were no restrictions on private practice and had accepted their roles under those service conditions. It argued that altering those terms unilaterally could undermine the commitment of doctors and potentially impact the ongoing expansion of superspeciality services at the institution.
According to the doctors, a ban on private practice alone would not significantly improve healthcare standards unless critical issues such as manpower shortages, inadequate infrastructure, limited ICU and operation theatre facilities, shortage of support staff, and lack of promotions and incentives are simultaneously addressed.
The forum also objected to remarks suggesting that doctors unwilling to accept the new policy should resign, calling such statements “demeaning and disrespectful to the profession.” It instead proposed an “opt-in, not opt-out” approach that would allow doctors to voluntarily decide whether to discontinue private practice.
The development comes after Chief Minister Manik Saha defended the government’s decision to prohibit private practice by faculty members and medical officers of the state’s premier government hospital. The move has also drawn criticism from opposition leaders, with Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury stating that healthcare reforms should not risk driving away experienced specialists.
Former Health Minister and senior Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman also criticised the policy, describing it as “unrealistic” and warning that it could strain healthcare services if senior doctors choose to resign.
