The private health sector has always been a lucrative option for doctors serving in a government set-up, given the disparity in salary and working hours. But the government resolution dated August 18 that puts a blanket ban on private practice for medicos serving in state-run hospitals, has irked doctors.
"Most doctors work in the government set-up out of social obligation. And a government job offers maximum security," said Dr Sachin Mulkutkar, General Secretary of Maharashtra State Medical Teachers Association (MSMTA).
Earlier in 2008, the state government had allowed medical teachers to practice privately after completing their duty hours at public hospitals. When they reviewed the order this year, they found that a few doctors attached to government hospitals had actually opted for private practice.
However, medical teachers claim that more than 40% government doctors indulge in private practice, but most of them prefer not to disclose details to the government. "A large chunk of doctors among us do not opt for private practice officially, but enjoy the perks of working in a private set-up and also take the non-practicing allowance from the government. This is the main reason the government has issued the order," said an MSMTA official requesting anonymity.
In fact, over the last six months, no action has been taken against any doctor over private practice in duty hours. "We can only take disciplinary action," said Dr TP Lahane, Dean of JJ Hospital. Salary of government doctors:
Lecturer: Rs 40,000
Associate Professor: Rs 85,000
Professor: Rs 1,05000
Salary of doctors working in private hospitals
Doctors with a promising general practice could earn over Rs 50,000 a month irrespective of their experience. Medicos working as consultants in bigger hospitals earn more then a lakh per month.
"The financial remuneration of a government doctor is good but doesn't match with the incentives offered in a private set-up. Depending on the case, even if I perform a minimum number of operations a month, I'd earn far more than a professor at a government hospital," said Dr Anup Ramani, uro-oncologist and surgeon with Lilavati Hospital and Breach Candy Hospital.
"In private hospitals, the opportunity to teach is minimal and the security attached with a government job is missing. During the time when private practice was allowed to government doctors, they were satisfied financially and socially," said a medical teacher attached to JJ hospital, who earns Rs 85,000 a month. | 
