A Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly panel has suggested imposition of ban on private practice of government doctors, particularly those posted in the Government Medical College Hospitals in the state. The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Committee, constituted to examine the cause of increase in the deaths in SKIMS, Srinagar and SMGS Hospital (Paediatrics), Jammu, on Tuesday suggested ban on private practice of government doctors, an official spokesman said on Tuesday.

The committee, which met here Tuesday under the chairmanship of MLA Balwant Singh Mankotia, discussed about further streamlining the functioning of government hospitals.

The members, including Zulfikar Ali, Mohammad Shafi Wani, Durga Dass and Charanajit Singh, stressed on expediting the recruitment of doctors and paramedic staff to meet the shortage, the spokesman said.

The committee decided that director Health Services, Jammu, director Health Services, Kashmir, all chief medical officers and medical superintendents would be called in the next meeting to discuss the healthcare delivery system, including the referral system, he said.