Orissa High Court Issues Notice to State Govt on PIL Against Private Practice by Govt Doctors

Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has taken cognizance of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking intervention against the private practice of government doctors, citing its adverse impact on the quality of healthcare services provided in state-run medical facilities.

The PIL, filed by Cuttack-based social activist Narayan Chandra Jena, prompted a two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Chakradhar Sharan Singh and Justice Sibo Sankar Mishra to issue a notice to the state government. The bench listed the matter for further hearing after four weeks, following a hearing on Friday.

Jena’s plea implores the court to direct the government to establish a committee to monitor and regulate the practice of government doctors in state-run hospitals. He advocates for measures to prohibit private practice among government doctors and suggests the provision of a non-practising allowance to dissuade them from engaging in private medical services.

The Secretary of the Health & Family Welfare Department and the Director of Health Services have been named as respondents in the case.

This is not the first time Jena has raised concerns over the issue. He initially filed the PIL on October 19, 2023. However, it faced dismissal for ‘non-prosecution’ by a High Court bench on November 7 of the same year. Subsequently, the bench granted his plea for the restoration of the PIL on January 16 this year, leading to the recent developments in the case.