The West Bengal Health Department decided to bar teacher-doctors serving under the West Bengal Medical Education Service from undertaking private practice on the day a patient is admitted to a government hospital and for the following 48 hours, a senior official said on Monday.
The restriction, effectively covering a 72-hour period, came into force immediately, he said, adding that the order was aimed at ensuring that faculty members remained available for patients admitted under their care.
“The restriction will apply from the day of admission and for the next 48 hours. The intention is to ensure continuity of care and the availability of the treating faculty for admitted patients,” the official said.
The order is expected to directly affect private practice by faculty members of government medical colleges.
Government doctors generally have a designated admission day each week. Under the new directive, they will not be able to undertake private practice on that day and the following two days, leaving them with fewer days in the week for such practice.
In some cases, where faculty members have two admission days a week, the restriction could cover most of the working week.
Some doctors have expressed concern that the sudden restriction could affect patients who are already undergoing treatment at private hospitals under government doctors.
However, some patients have welcomed the move, saying ensuring the availability of doctors after admission to government hospitals could improve continuity and quality of care.
Published on August 25, 2026
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