Bhubaneswar: Adopting a tough approach, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has taken strict action against doctors who have been absent from hospitals for a long time in the state.
According to a government statement, more than 120 medical officers and dental surgeons across various hospitals in the state have remained absent from duty for over five years. The government was thus compelled to issue notices in newspapers, urging the doctors to explain their status.
Taking serious note of their unauthorized absence, Majhi has directed the Health Department to initiate disciplinary action against all of them.
In a significant decision, the chief minister dismissed Dr. Bichakhyana Panigrahi, former Medical Officer of the Kandhamal Police Hospital, from government service.
Dr. Panigrahi has been absent without authorization since 2012. Notwithstanding repeated directions from the department to explain his absence and report back to duty, he failed to comply. Due to his continued neglect of patient care, he has been removed from his post.
Majhi also announced that modernisation of hospitals across the state is one of his government’s top priorities. According to the chief minister, new medical colleges will be established in the state.
He lamented that many doctors, after being appointed, are not doing their jobs effectively and have remained absent.
Majhi warned that such behaviour will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against them.
