Bhubaneswar, June 19 (UDN): In a major move to strengthen healthcare delivery and enforce accountability in public hospitals, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered disciplinary action against 128 medical officers and dental surgeons who have remained absent from duty for more than five years.
UDN(File)
According to official sources, the doctors were posted in various government healthcare institutions across Odisha but failed to report for duty for prolonged periods, adversely affecting patient care and healthcare services. The Health and Family Welfare Department had earlier issued notices and even published advertisements in newspapers seeking information on their whereabouts and directing them to resume duty. However, many of them failed to respond.
Taking serious note of the unauthorized absence, the Chief Minister directed the department to initiate departmental proceedings against the erring doctors under the applicable service rules.
In a related action, the state government has terminated the services of Dr. Bichakshana Panigrahi, former Medical Officer of Kandhamal Police Hospital, who had remained absent without authorization since 2012. Despite repeated instructions from the Health Department to explain his absence and rejoin duty, he neither responded nor resumed service. Citing prolonged negligence and disregard for public healthcare responsibilities, the government has removed him from service.
Emphasizing the state’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure, Chief Minister Majhi noted that the government is investing heavily in the health sector through the establishment of new hospitals, modernization of existing healthcare facilities and expansion of medical education through new medical colleges.
“The government is committed to providing quality healthcare services to the people. While significant investments are being made to improve the health system, absenteeism and neglect of duty by medical professionals cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” the Chief Minister said.
The action is being viewed as part of the government’s broader efforts to improve accountability, ensure the availability of doctors in public health institutions and enhance healthcare services, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the state.
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