Nagaland's Health and Family Welfare Department on Tuesday in a press conference held at the Secretariat Conference Hall, Kohima declared a Office Memorandum of the Health and Family Welfare Department.

The press conference was chaired by Y. Kikheto Sema, Commissioner & Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, in the presence of the Principal Director H&FW and the President of the Nagaland Medical Council.

The office memorandum (OM) contained matters relating to Private Practice by Government doctors and Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA) governed by the Finance Department’s Notifications and related instructions issued from time to time.

It stated that in spite of repeated instructions issued from time to time, it was observed that the laid-down instructions were not being followed in "letter and spirit".

In its memorandum, Nagaland’s Health and Family Welfare Department directed the in-service government doctors both availing as well as not availing Non-Practicing Allowance (NPA), and engaged in private practice in their own hospitals or in partnership to either close down their private hospitals or to de-associate from such partnership within one month.

Secondly, it has directed the in-service government doctors who are availing NPA and involved in Private Practice in private hospitals/clinics to either stop private practice or to forgo their NPA within 1 (one) month.

Thirdly, the memorandum stated that the in-service government doctors not availing NPA may be allowed to give private consultations and services with prior approval of the competent authority to the needy patients strictly during non-working hours.

The memorandum also stated that all private hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes have been directed not to engage any in-service Government Doctors, Nurses, Technicians, and Health Workers in their establishments. Failure to comply will result in the cancellation of their license.

According to the Commissioner & Secretary to the department of Health & Family Welfare (H&FW), Y Kikheto Sema, there have been instances when it was noticed that some in-service government doctors/health workers were irregular in their place of posting, which hampers the health care delivery system in their respective health units.

In regards to this, the government reiterated that, in the event of a report of absence from the place of posting without proper leave permissions from the competent authority, action will be initiated as per the Nagaland Government Servants Conduct Rules, 1968, and the Nagaland Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1967.

Kikheto Sema also highlighted the change in the timing for the Outpatient Department (OPD) in all the State Government Health Units under the Department of Health & Family Welfare.

The new timings are as follows - 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM to 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM w.e.f. 10th August 2023.

Source- Department of Information and Public Relations, Govt. Of Nagaland.