PATNA, May 18 -- Government doctors under the banner of the Bihar Health Services Association (BHSA), urged the Bihar government on Sunday not to ban private practice without consulting the doctors' body. They passed several resolutions demanding stronger security measures, administrative reforms, promotion benefits and improved service conditions during the organisation's general body meeting and convention held at the Indian Medical Hall (IMA) in Patna, said its spokesperson Dr Vinay Kumar. "The doctors oppose a blanket ban on private practice and want it to be optional," said Dr Kumar. The meeting, attended by doctors and association representatives from across Bihar, highlighted growing resentment among service doctors over workplace insecurity, alleged administrative neglect and issues affecting the state's healthcare system. Following the meeting, doctors also marched from IMA Hall to JP Golambar near Maurya hotel. Among the key resolutions adopted unanimously, the association demanded proper housing and security arrangements for service doctors and vehicle facilities for medical officers holding administrative posts. The association sought stricter provisions under the existing Bihar Medical Service Institution and Persons Protection Act, demanding a minimum 10-year rigorous imprisonment for those involved in vandalism, violence or attacks on doctors and healthcare workers in hospitals. It also called for a clear implementation mechanism with designated officials for time-bound action and deployment of armed security guards at hospitals, said Dr Kumar in the statement issued by the BHSA. In a major administrative demand, the association called for restructuring of the health directorate and publication of a consolidated set of health service rules. It opposed granting senior administrative promotions to assistant block public health officers under the public health cadre, arguing that MBBS qualification is not mandatory for the cadre and that promotional posts within the directorate should remain reserved for doctors. The doctors' body also demanded immediate notification of pending regular promotions and dynamic assured career progression (DACP), inclusion of contractual service period for DACP and promotion calculations, and promotion-linked financial upgradation under the DACP framework. The convention further sought reservation of 50% postgraduate degree seats and all diploma seats in NEET-PG for in-service doctors who have completed regular service, subject to prescribed conditions, to address the shortage of specialist doctors in the state. Among other major demands, the association sought rural allowance for doctors serving in remote areas in line with national health mission (NHM) norms, issuance of cashless health cards with coverage up to Rs.50 lakh for serving and retired doctors and their families, separate allowance for postmortem and injury-related duties, and special treatment facilities for doctors in designated hospitals. The association said the demands were aimed at strengthening Bihar's healthcare system, boosting doctors' morale and ensuring better health services for the public....