Odisha initiates action against 128 absent docs
Bhubaneswar: Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated by the state govt against 128 medical officers and dental surgeons who have been absent from duty for more than five years.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed the health department to take action after repeated efforts to trace the doctors and get them to return to duty failed. Officials said notices were issued and also published in newspapers seeking information about the whereabouts of the absentee doctors , but many did not respond.
Sources said the move may not have much of an impact on absentee doctors who are already pursuing higher education or are posted in private institutions. The move, however, is needed for the govt to sack these doctors after taking disciplinary proceedings and initiate recruitment against these posts.
The CM said the govt is investing heavily in strengthening the state’s healthcare system by establishing new hospitals, upgrading existing facilities and opening new medical colleges. He said doctors appointed to govt institutions have a responsibility towards patients and public health.
“Many doctors remain absent after being appointed and do not join duty. This will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Majhi said, underlining the govt’s commitment to ensuring accountability in public healthcare institutions.
Health department special secretary Dr Bijaya Kumar Mohapatra said the doctors against whom action has been initiated had not been serving in govt institutions for several years. “We have taken all necessary steps to inform the absent doctors to join duty, but they did not respond. Later, we decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against them,” Mohapatra said.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed the health department to take action after repeated efforts to trace the doctors and get them to return to duty failed. Officials said notices were issued and also published in newspapers seeking information about the whereabouts of the absentee doctors , but many did not respond.
Sources said the move may not have much of an impact on absentee doctors who are already pursuing higher education or are posted in private institutions. The move, however, is needed for the govt to sack these doctors after taking disciplinary proceedings and initiate recruitment against these posts.
The CM said the govt is investing heavily in strengthening the state’s healthcare system by establishing new hospitals, upgrading existing facilities and opening new medical colleges. He said doctors appointed to govt institutions have a responsibility towards patients and public health.
“Many doctors remain absent after being appointed and do not join duty. This will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” Majhi said, underlining the govt’s commitment to ensuring accountability in public healthcare institutions.
Health department special secretary Dr Bijaya Kumar Mohapatra said the doctors against whom action has been initiated had not been serving in govt institutions for several years. “We have taken all necessary steps to inform the absent doctors to join duty, but they did not respond. Later, we decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against them,” Mohapatra said.
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