Karnataka government bans government doctors from treating inpatients at private hospitals

Bengaluru: In a major policy move, the Karnataka government has imposed restrictions on government doctors from treating inpatients at private hospitals, citing concerns that such practices interfere with official duties in public healthcare facilities.

The decision, announced through a circular issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department, has come as a shock to many government doctors, with authorities also warning of disciplinary action in case of violations.

According to the circular, government doctors working under the Health and Family Welfare Department are prohibited from providing inpatient (IPD) care at private hospitals as part of their private medical practice.

The government stated that inpatient treatment at private facilities often affects doctors’ availability and commitment to government hospitals, leading to lapses in patient care. The decision follows repeated complaints about negligence and lack of continuous monitoring of inpatients in government hospitals.

However, the government has allowed limited private practice under strict conditions. Government doctors are permitted to offer outpatient (OPD) services at private hospitals or clinics, but only outside official duty hours.

Doctors can practise at only one private hospital or clinic, and they must submit complete details of their private practice to the government. The circular clearly states that any deviation from these norms will invite disciplinary proceedings.

Health department officials said the move aims to ensure that government doctors devote adequate time and attention to patients admitted to public hospitals. “Inpatient care in government hospitals requires continuous supervision. Private inpatient practice has been found to affect the discharge of official responsibilities,” the circular noted.

In a parallel reform initiative, the Karnataka government has also decided to improve the quality of food served to patients in government hospitals. Acting on a series of complaints regarding poor-quality meals, the Health Department has prepared a new nutritious food menu for hospital inpatients.

As part of this initiative, the department has entered into a three-year agreement with ISKCON to supply nutritious food to patients in government hospitals. Under the revised menu, patients will receive items such as rava upma, wheat-based dishes or pongal, along with 100 grams of bread and a banana for breakfast.

Lunch will include ragi mudde, rice, sambar and soya chunks. Evening refreshments will consist of tea and biscuits, while dinner will feature chapatis, vegetable curry, rice, sambar and a pulses-based dish.

Officials said the dual measures—tightening rules on private practice and improving patient nutrition—are aimed at strengthening public healthcare delivery in the state. While the restrictions on private inpatient treatment may face resistance from sections of the medical fraternity, the government maintains that patient welfare and accountability in government hospitals remain its top priorities.

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