PATNA, April 12 -- The Bihar health department on Saturday decided to ban private practice by all allopathic doctors employed in government service, officials said, in a move aimed at strengthening public healthcare delivery across the state. "The ban on private practice by allopathic government doctors will come into effect from the same day we decide to grant NPA to government doctors," said Lokesh Kumar Singh, Bihar's health secretary, who signed the government resolution issued on Saturday. "A detailed notification specifying the date of enforcement of the ban, along with provisions for non-practising allowance (NPA) and additional incentives to the doctors, will be issued subsequently after approval from the competent authority," said Singh. The decision is expected to impact over 10,000 allopathic government doctors, including those working under the Bihar Health Services cadre, Bihar Medical Education Services cadre and the Indira Gandhi Institute of Cardiology cadre. The move is in line with the state government's policy direction under 'Saat Nischay-3' (Seven Resolves 3.0) for the 2025-2030 period. The programme, approved by the state cabinet in December after the return of the Nitish Kumar-led government, includes a commitment to prohibit private practice by government doctors under its fifth resolution focused on ensuring an "accessible, health-secure life". Doctors often prioritised their private clinics over hospital responsibilities, leading to absenteeism, late arrivals, and reduced time spent in government facilities. With divided attention, patient care in government hospitals suffered - long waiting times, rushed consultations, and inadequate monitoring of admitted patients became common complaints. There were frequent allegations that some doctors referred patients from government hospitals to their own private clinics for financial gain, undermining ethical medical practice. Instances were reported where government infrastructure, medicines, or diagnostic facilities were indirectly used to support private practice. When doctors split time between public and private work, enforcing discipline and accountability in government healthcare facilities became difficult for authorities. Welcoming the government decision, Dr Sunil Kumar Singh, vice-president of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Bihar chapter, said, "The availability of doctors in government facilities is critical for effective healthcare delivery, particularly at a time when the state is making significant investments in infrastructure, manpower and medical equipment." He, however, stressed the need for clarity on the NPA structure and called for strict enforcement. Singh suggested that the Economic Offences Unit be tasked with monitoring compliance and taking action against doctors who continue private practice despite availing of NPA. Health department officials said they expect the measure to improve the presence of doctors in public facilities and enhance access to quality healthcare, especially in rural and remote areas of Bihar. The idea of banning private practice by government doctors in Bihar is not new and has surfaced intermittently over the years. Earlier, Bindeshwari Dubey, as Bihar's chief minister, issued a government resolution on September 30, 1986, which declared doctors at the state's nine medical colleges as "non-practising", effective from October 2, 1986. This move faced significant backlash and legal challenges from medical associations, leading to stay by the Patna high court soon after announcement. It led to policy dilution and concessions, rather than full implementation, making it an early but unsuccessful attempt by the Bihar government to curb private practice among government doctors. The Lalu Prasad government briefly reintroduced a ban and paid NPA for 11 months between March 2000 and February 2001 before withdrawing the allowance. In 2008, the Nitish Kumar government inserted a clause in appointment letters of newly recruited doctors asking them to abstain from private practice, although it was not strictly enforced due to the absence of NPA. Over time, expert panels and committees had repeatedly recommended a complete ban, arguing that private practice affects doctors' availability in public hospitals and should be treated as misconduct. The issue gained renewed traction in recent years under chief minister Nitish Kumar....