Guwahati, June 6: The Assam government will display online names of doctors who avail of non-practising allowance in a bid to prevent them from practising in private hospitals.

Health and family welfare minister Nazrul Islam, while interacting with reporters on the sidelines of a health department's function here this afternoon, said there are reports and allegations against a section of doctors who, even after drawing non-practising allowance from the government, regularly go to private hospitals to visit patients.

"Such malpractices must come to an end. The health department will soon upload the names of doctors drawing non-practising allowance on its website so that they cannot take the authorities as well as the people for a ride by continuing private practice. Actions will be taken against the errant doctors," Islam said.

He also hinted that action would be taken against private hospitals who hire such doctors.

Dispur pays non-practising allowances (25 per cent of basic pay) to all government doctors as a reward for dedicating their services to government hospitals.

Sources alleged that many doctors from Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Assam Medical College and Hospital. Dibrugarh and Silchar Medical College and Hospitals spend more time in private hospitals and clinics though they draw non-practising allowances from the government.

The government has cited that engagement of faculty by private nursing homes has affected daily work and academic atmosphere in the state's medical colleges.

Principal secretary to health and family welfare department Sanjeeva Kumar said the initiative is a part of the government's effort to bring about transparency and accountability in the functioning of public hospitals.

He also said the move aims at ensuring that patients do not suffer on account of private practise by government doctors.

MoU signed: Dispur has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Centre to set up three new medical colleges in the state to overcome shortage of doctors.

The new medical colleges will be set up in Nagaon, Dhubri and Lakhimpur districts at a cost of Rs 167 crore each. Assam has six medical colleges.

"Assam has faced a shortage of doctors as no new medical college was set up since 1960. With the signing of MoUs with the Centre the state is expected to have nine medical colleges in the next five years," Islam said.

Website: Dispur today started displaying availability of medicines in government hospitals online to prevent any artificial scarcity.

Islam said while launching the drugs stock availability online information system here this afternoon it would do away with the menace of artificial scarcity of medicines in government hospitals and primary health centres.

"From today, one can see the availability of medicines in different government hospitals by clicking on www.nrhmassam.in," Islam said.

There have been allegations that a section of doctors, nurses and medical staff at government hospitals create artificial scarcity of medicines to promote private pharmacies.

Islam said besides online display, the hospitals would be asked to prominently display the available stock of medicines.

Principal secretary of health and family welfare department Sanjeeva Kumar said the initiative is a part of the health department's plan to use information technology to maintain transparency in the field of health care.

He said 200 essential drugs must be available in all government hospitals.