By Rajesh Pandey
The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to investigate whether government doctors appointed in state medical colleges are engaged in private practice at nursing homes and medical shops. The court highlighted this as a serious issue and sought a detailed response from the state authorities.
Hearing a writ petition filed by Dr. Arvind Gupta, Head of Department and Professor at Motilal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal asked the Principal Secretary of Medical Education and Health, Uttar Pradesh, to clarify whether Dr. Gupta, as a professor in a state-run medical college, is permitted to treat patients in private nursing homes. The court directed the case to be listed for the next hearing on January 8, 2025.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Rupesh Chandra Srivastava before the Consumer Forum. Srivastava alleged that Dr. Gupta provided negligent treatment at Phoenix Hospital, a private nursing home in Prayagraj. The petitioner’s counsel argued that the District Consumer Forum did not pass any order in the case, which directly moved to the State Consumer Forum. She also contended that the matter, involving a sum of ₹1,890, does not fall under the purview of the State Consumer Forum.
However, the court focused on the involvement of a state medical college professor in private practice. It raised the fundamental question of whether Dr. Gupta, a government employee holding a senior position in a state institution, can treat patients at private facilities.
“The basic issue to be addressed is whether Dr. Arvind Gupta, being a government doctor and Head of Department at Motilal Nehru Medical College, can provide treatment in a private nursing home in Prayagraj,” the court observed in its order dated January 2.
The court directed the state government to investigate the broader issue of private practice by government doctors and submit its findings. Additionally, it instructed the petitioner’s counsel to explain how Dr. Gupta treated the complainant at Phoenix Hospital during the next hearing.
The High Court’s observations and directives underscore the significance of maintaining the integrity of government healthcare services and ensuring compliance with service rules by public medical professionals.
