In a significant healthcare reform initiative, the Tripura government has decided to prohibit doctors serving at GB Pant Hospital and Agartala Government Medical College (AGMC) from engaging in private medical practice. To offset the impact of the restriction, the state will grant a 20 percent salary hike to the affected doctors.

The decision was approved during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha, who also oversees the Health Department.

Announcing the Cabinet's decision, government spokesperson and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury stated that the policy will initially apply only to doctors working at GB Pant Hospital and AGMC, the state's premier tertiary healthcare institutions.

According to the minister, the move aims to enhance healthcare delivery, improve patient care, and ensure that government doctors devote their full attention to public health services. In return for giving up private practice, eligible doctors will receive a special salary enhancement of 20 percent.

Chowdhury noted that the issue had been under discussion for some time. The matter was recently revisited by the Health Secretary, prompting the Chief Minister to take a final decision in the interest of strengthening the state's healthcare system.

The minister emphasized that doctors who do not wish to comply with the new directive may choose to leave government service. Once the policy comes into force, doctors attached to GB Pant Hospital and AGMC will not be allowed to operate private clinics or provide treatment outside their official duties.

He further revealed that a team from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) had recently recommended implementing such a policy to raise healthcare standards in Tripura. Similar restrictions on private practice are already enforced in several leading government medical institutions across the country, including AIIMS New Delhi.

Officials estimate that nearly 350 doctors will be affected by the new regulation, which is expected to be implemented in the near future.