Termination on cards for absentee doctors, H&ME dept initiates action

TNN Bureau. Updated: 3/23/2019 11:07:56 AM Front Page

Committee fails to act even after 6 months of its reconstitution

S.SHEKHAR

JAMMU: Taking stiff action on a series of complaints against absentee doctors and other officials of the Health & Medical Education Department, the Government is all set to terminate their services after serving them last and final notice.

Surprisingly, while the Department of Health & Medical Education is baffled with shortage of doctors and other paramedical staff to cater to the needs of patients visiting different hospitals, several amongst them appointed after following the set criterion of the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission and other recruiting agencies, are reportedly either continue to remain illegally absent or overstaying on deputation in some other departments besides many keep on study leave.

“No doubt the unauthorized absence of a large number of doctors and others, who have certain area of responsibility, badly affects the patient healthcare system, especially in the premiere hospitals like Government Medical College & Hospital Jammu and all its Associated Hospitals as there is already a huge shortfall of doctors in the peripheral hospitals and health centers,” a senior officer of the Department said while talking to The News Now on condition of anonymity.

When asked about the exact number of such doctors and other officials, he said, “We are into the process and lists will be prepared after consolidating their names within couple of days.”

“Actually, we have to prepare the lists district wise and only two or three such lists have been received by the department because process couldn’t be initiated in time due to unavoidable circumstances in the recent past, where we remain engaged in managing the situations emerging out of constant cross-border firing besides curfew in Jammu etc,” the officer said while replying to a question regarding unnecessary delay in the action.

“It’s expected that we will get all the required details within a week’s time and we will be able to gather information about the previous cases as well,” he further said.

“We will serve them last and final notice of one week by which they have to explain the reason behind their unauthorized absence from duty,” the officer said, adding, “We will take action accordingly and it’s almost certain that their services will be terminated forthwith.”

Replying to a question about action taken by the Departmental Committee reconstituted by the Government in September last year to review such cases, he said, “I’m not aware of this but I assure you that action will be taken against those found guilty as the process has been initiated in this regard.”

It’s pertinent to mention here that a Departmental Committee was reconstituted by the Government about six months back vide Govt order no. 511, HME of 2018, dated 13.09.2018, to examine the cases of doctors or any officer or official of subordinate office related to unauthorized absence or overstay on deputation or study leave cases or any other and since then the matter was pending for disposal owing to inexplicable reasons. The Committee was headed by Director Finance, Health & Medical Education Department while Additional Secretary to Government, Health & Medical Education Department (Health Gazetted Section) and Deputy Secretary to Government, Health & Medical Education Department (HRM section) were the Members.

The Committee was authorized to make specific recommendations after examining such cases as may be referred to it and also to take cognizance of difficulties being faced by general public due to authorized or unauthorized absence of doctors or paramedical staff etc.


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