Agartala, June 24 (IANS) The Tripura government has decided to bar private practice by medical officers and faculty members associated with the state-run Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) and Govind Ballabh Pant (GBP) Hospital, a senior Minister said on Wednesday.

The Opposition Congress, however, criticised the state government’s decision, alleging that the move could adversely affect healthcare services and medical education in the state.

Announcing the decision taken by the state Cabinet, government spokesperson and Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said that the Council of Ministers, at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Manik Saha, approved a proposal to prohibit private practice by faculty members and medical officers attached to AGMC and GBP Hospital.

The Minister said that the state Cabinet also approved a 20 per cent increase in basic salary in the form of a non-practising allowance for the faculty members and medical officers of the government-run medical college and hospital.

A formal notification detailing the Cabinet decision would be issued shortly, Chowdhury said, adding that the move was aimed at improving healthcare services and ensuring greater accountability at the state’s premier medical institution.

Chowdhury, who also holds the Tourism and Transport portfolios, quoted Chief Minister Manik Saha as saying that despite significant improvements in infrastructure and the installation of modern medical equipment, complaints regarding patient services continue to be received from various quarters.

The Minister said that the state government held consultations with doctors’ organisations and other stakeholders before taking the decision.

Around 350 faculty members and medical officers are currently associated with Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, the state’s largest and oldest referral healthcare institution.

According to Chowdhury, the decision would initially be implemented only for faculty members and medical officers attached to AGMC and GBP Hospital.

After reviewing its impact and overall effectiveness, the state government may consider extending the policy to other government hospitals in the state.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former Health and Family Welfare Minister Sudip Roy Barman opposed the decision, claiming that it could prompt several experienced faculty members and senior medical officers to opt for voluntary retirement in order to continue private practice.

Roy Barman said that if a significant number of faculty members and medical officers leave government service, both patient care and academic activities at the state’s premier medical college would be adversely affected.

Roy Barman, who is also a sitting Congress MLA, urged the state government to reconsider its decision before issuing the statutory notification and implementing the Cabinet resolution.

He said that while improving healthcare services is essential, any policy decision should also take into account its potential impact on the availability of experienced doctors, medical education and specialised healthcare services in the state.

–IANS

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