2 Pune health officials suspended over alleged lapses in key health programmes

Pune: Two assistant directors of health services (family welfare) in Pune have been suspended by the Maharashtra public health department after a high-level review found serious lapses in the supervision of child health and family planning programmes.

The action followed a review conducted by the principal secretary of the public health department on October 12. According to the review, the two officials, who were responsible for overseeing the child health programme and the family planning programme respectively, reportedly failed to conduct field visits and did not discharge their responsibilities effectively.

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Describing their performance as “extremely unsatisfactory”, the department ordered a formal inquiry into the alleged lapses.

The department said interim heads would be appointed for the two programmes shortly to ensure continuity in their functioning.

According to the suspension orders, the headquarters of both officers have been shifted to the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar General Hospital. They will not be permitted to leave their designated headquarters without prior approval.

The orders further prohibit the officers from taking up private employment or engaging in trade, business or industry while under suspension, in accordance with Rule 16 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979. Any violation would be treated as misconduct and could invite further disciplinary action, according to the notice, TOI reported.

Both officers will, however, remain entitled to subsistence allowance and other admissible allowances during the suspension period under Rule 68 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Joining Time, Foreign Service and Payments during Suspension, Dismissal and Removal) Rules, 1981.

The department's action has brought the importance of field-level monitoring in public health programmes into focus. Officials said the suspensions reflected the department's position that inadequate supervision of essential healthcare initiatives would not be tolerated.

The child health programme covers critical interventions such as immunisation, nutritional support and the early detection of illnesses among children. Similarly, the family planning programme involves counselling, the availability and distribution of contraceptives, and follow-up care. Consistent supervision is essential to ensure that eligible beneficiaries receive appropriate information and access to services.

The suspension orders do not specify a timeline for completing the investigations or clarify whether additional disciplinary measures will follow.

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