The Karnataka Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) has objected to the State government’s decision to restrict government doctors from providing inpatient treatment under the private system after duty hours, warning that the move would adversely affect healthcare access in rural areas.
In a statement, the association said government doctors have been undertaking private practice after official duty hours in accordance with existing government orders. However, the new restriction, which bars them from working in the inpatient department under the private system, would deprive patients – particularly in rural areas – of access to experienced specialists and surgeons.
The government has now classified services into inpatient and outpatient care, and directed that government doctors should not engage in private inpatient treatment. The association said this would create serious difficulties for rural patients who rely on such services due to the limited availability of specialists.
The association clarified that it does not support doctors providing private services during official duty hours. However, it said issuing unilateral orders targeting government doctors would have a serious impact on both the public health system and the morale of doctors.
Expressing concern, KGMOA president Ravindranath Meti said that recent government actions appeared to single out government doctors, leading to a decline in morale and negatively affecting their commitment to public service. “Arbitrary orders against doctors are weakening the public healthcare system,” he said.
Dr. Meti also pointed out that despite several meetings and representations over the past four years, amendments to the cadre and recruitment rules had not been implemented. He said that although seniority lists are required to be revised every year in December, they had not been updated for the past 13 years, resulting in doctors being denied promotions.
Other grievances
The association also flagged issues such as pay disparities, vacant posts remaining unfilled, and other service-related grievances, listing a total of 15 unresolved demands.
Calling for the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s intervention, the association urged him to address the grievances faced by government doctors. Failing this, it warned that the association would be forced to resort to protests.
Published – February 04, 2026 12:46 am IST
