AGARTALA | A forum representing super-specialist doctors at Tripura’s premier government healthcare institution has opposed the state government’s decision to prohibit private practice by faculty members and medical officers, describing the move as unilateral and lacking adequate consultation with stakeholders.

In a letter addressed to Bidhan Goswami, the Superspeciality Doctors’ Forum of Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital expressed strong reservations about the proposed reform.

The forum stated that the policy had been formulated and announced without meaningful engagement with doctors directly involved in patient care and warned that banning private practice alone would not lead to better healthcare outcomes.

According to the letter, improving healthcare services requires addressing longstanding challenges, including shortages of medical personnel, inadequate infrastructure, limitations in intensive care units and operation theatres, lack of support staff, and insufficient opportunities for promotions and incentives.

The doctors also pointed out that many of them joined government service when no restrictions on private practice existed. They argued that changing service conditions without consultation undermines the understanding under which they accepted their positions and contributed to expanding super-speciality healthcare services in the state.

The forum further criticised remarks suggesting that doctors unwilling to comply with the policy should resign, calling such statements “demeaning and disrespectful” to the medical profession.

Instead of imposing a blanket prohibition, the association proposed an “opt-in rather than opt-out” model that would allow doctors a choice before the policy is implemented.

The controversy follows the Tripura government’s recent decision to ban private practice by faculty members and medical officers at AGMC and GB Pant Hospital. The policy, approved by the state cabinet, aims to improve doctors’ availability in public hospitals and strengthen healthcare delivery. To compensate affected doctors, the government has announced a special allowance equivalent to 20 per cent of their salary.

Defending the move, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said the measure was intended to enhance public healthcare services and ensure greater accessibility to specialist doctors in government facilities.

The proposal, however, has drawn criticism from opposition leaders. Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury warned that healthcare services could suffer if experienced doctors choose to leave government service as a result of the restrictions.

He argued that attracting specialist doctors from outside the state would be difficult and urged the government to adopt a balanced approach that improves healthcare delivery without alienating medical professionals.

Former Tripura health minister and Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman also criticised the decision, describing it as unrealistic and rushed.

Barman cautioned that the move could adversely affect patients across the state and argued that professionals should not be compelled to remain engaged in official duties beyond regular working hours. He called on the government to review and reconsider the policy before implementation.

The debate has highlighted growing concerns over balancing public healthcare requirements with the professional autonomy and service conditions of government doctors, as the state prepares to roll out the new policy.