The Allahabad High Court has issued an order for the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate whether doctors from state-run medical colleges are engaging in private practice. The directive came after allegations arose concerning a Head of Department (HoD) at Moti Lal Nehru Medical College in Prayagraj who reportedly treated patients at a private nursing home.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal presided over the hearing of a petition filed by Dr. Arvind Gupta, an HoD and professor at the mentioned college. The petition stems from a complaint by Rupesh Chandra Srivastava, alleging improper treatment by Dr. Gupta and his wife at Phoenix Hospital, a private establishment in Prayagraj.
Despite the relatively minor claim of Rs 1,890, which the petitioner’s counsel argued was not cognizable before the state consumer forum, the court expressed significant concerns over the ethical and legal implications of a state-employed doctor practicing privately.
The court’s primary concern centers on whether Dr. Gupta, in his capacity as a professor and department head at a government-funded medical college, is legally permitted to treat patients in a private setting. This issue touches on broader concerns about the integrity of public health services and the potential conflicts of interest that private practices might introduce.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s Principal Secretary of Medical Education and Health has been tasked to provide clarity on the legality of such practices and to report back on whether Dr. Gupta was indeed authorized to engage in private practice. This inquiry aims to ensure that public sector doctors remain dedicated to their primary roles without undue influence from private sector opportunities.
