In Thiruvananthapuram, the vigilance department recently conducted surprise inspections at the residences and clinics of doctors who are prohibited from engaging in private practice. During the inspection, it was discovered that 19 doctors from medical colleges were violating the rules by conducting private practice. Additionally, 64 doctors employed in government hospitals under the health department were also found to be carrying out private practice without adhering to the regulations.
The vigilance department conducted inspections in 70 different groups across the state. The unauthorized private practice by medical college doctors was distributed as follows: 8 in Kozhikode district, 3 in Alappuzha, 2 in Thrissur, and one each in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Malappuram, Wayanad, and Kannur districts.
Further more, it was noted that some doctors working under the state health department, while permitted to have private practices near their residences, were operating in rented rooms and commercial buildings within the hospital premises.
Instances were observed where doctors in Malappuram, Kottayam, Palakkad, and Wayanad districts were setting up private clinics by renting houses, equipping them with medical facilities, and hiring nurses, technicians, and lab assistants. The Director of Vigilance, K Vinod Kumar, stated that the findings would be forwarded to the government for appropriate action.