New rules restrict government doctors' private practice near hospitals in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: New regulations have been introduced to restrict private practice by doctors within one-kilometre radius of the hospitals they are practising. Doctors living in their own homes or government quarters within this radius are exempted from these rules. Private practices cannot be carried out in buildings used for commercial purposes, including those housing laboratories, scanning centres, pharmacies or medical institutions.

Doctors must provide ownership or occupancy documents for their private practice locations if requested by authorities. Acceptable documents include Aadhaar cards, utility bills (electricity, water, landline), building tax receipts, resident certificates and rent bills.

Only government doctors are permitted to practise privately, while medical college doctors are prohibited as they are entitled to non-practice allowance. 

Restrictions on equipment use in private practices

In private practices, doctors are limited to using only essential diagnostic equipment. Dentists are permitted to use dental chairs and other essential equipment. Patients should not be referred from private practices to the hospital where the doctors work for injections, medications or procedures.

Government hospital resources or facilities should not be used for private practices, and the same cannot be done at more than one location. Government doctors are also prohibited from advertising their qualifications or private practices through media or billboards. A sign must be posted at private practice centres to discourage inpatients' relatives or friends from visiting the doctor there.

Reactions from doctors: Support as well as opposition

The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) welcomed the proposals, including allowing private practice in rented premises. KGMOA president Dr T N Suresh stated that there are no barriers to using essential equipment for treatment in private practice settings. Meanwhile, the Specialist Doctors Association criticised the suggestion to prohibit sending patients from private practices to hospitals, calling it impractical. Association spokesperson Dr Sunjit Ravi noted that this is particularly challenging in fields such as gynaecology and cardiology.