The Odisha government has initiated disciplinary proceedings 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 stated that notices were issued and published in newspapers seeking information about the whereabouts of the absentee doctors, but many did not respond.
Impact of the Move
Sources indicated that the move may not significantly affect absentee doctors who are already pursuing higher education or working in private institutions. However, the action is necessary for the government to dismiss these doctors after disciplinary proceedings and initiate recruitment for the vacant posts. The Chief Minister emphasized that the government is investing heavily in strengthening the state's healthcare system by establishing new hospitals, upgrading existing facilities, and opening new medical colleges. He asserted that doctors appointed to government 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, underscoring the government's commitment to ensuring accountability in public healthcare institutions.
Official Statements
Health department special secretary Dr. Bijaya Kumar Mohapatra said the doctors against whom action has been initiated had not been serving in government 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 explained. He added that officials suspect some of the absentee doctors may have been engaged in private practice during their prolonged absence from government service. "They were not on service bonds. After dismissing them from service, the government will recruit new people to those posts so that common people can get health services," Mohapatra said.
Reasons for Absenteeism
A doctor explained that leaving government service is a tiring process, so many choose prolonged leave instead. In a separate incident, the government dismissed Dr. Bichakshana Panigrahi, former medical officer of Kandhamal Police Hospital, from service for unauthorized absence since 2012. According to the government, she failed to respond to repeated communications asking her to explain her absence and rejoin duty.
