Absent from duty: Two Medical officers, 3 nurses get show cause notice at PHCs and UPHCs in Gurugram

Gurugram: Two medical officers (MO) and three nurses were issued show cause notices following a surprise inspection at three primary health centres (PHCs) and four urban primary health centres (UPHCs) in Gurugram by the Gurugram chief medical officer (CMO) Virender Yadav last week which found several employees absent from duty. 

"A show-cause notice has been served on the employees of the PHCs and UPHCs that have 24X7 health facilities and delivery facilities to give them a chance to explain why they were absent from duty," Yadav said. 

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The inspections were conducted at PHC Daultabad, PHC Gurgaon Village, UPHC Rajendra Park, UPHC Laxman Vihar, UPHC Chauma and UPHC Polyclinic Sector 31.

The CMO said, "During a visit to the Chauma and Laxmi Nagar health facilities, which are supposed to be functioning 24x7, were found to be not operational properly. I found several irregularities regarding cleanliness and hygiene. At Laxmi Nagar, a nurse reported to work 10 minutes late and was not following the official dress code. Show cause notice was issued to one MO and two nurses there." 

According to officials, most doctors and employees posted at the PHC Daultabad and UPHC Rajendra Park were found absent from duty while UPHC Chauma was found locked without prior intimation when the CMO and his team made a surprise visit.

During the visit, they checked the delivery room, newborn care corner, crash cart, emergency medicines and ambulance facilities, and necessary instructions were passed regarding high-risk pregnancy care and referral protocol.

"During the visit, all necessary arrangements were present but the staff was found absent only the guard was there at PHC Daultabad and UPHC Rajendra Park. Show cause notice was issued to the incharge and employees," Yadav added.

Speaking to the Times of India, the CMO said, "An explanation has been sought from those who were found absent. All were directed to ensure compliance in future. The Chauma centre was found locked and no information regarding its closure was displayed near or on the centre. The MO and a nurse were issued show cause notices there too and a recommendation to make the contract of the MO conditional was sent to CHD." 

Yadav pointed out that the doctors and nurses are required to give a satisfactory response which could otherwise result in suspension. He further directed the suspension of salaries of the health centre staff for one day who were found absent. 

The CMO said, "They will have to explain the reason behind why the centres were not operational within two working days. Instructions have been given to staff to not accept gifts or money from patients. Only generic medicines should be prescribed to patients. Contract of three staff nurses will be made conditional. Apart from the two MOs and three nurses, one driver and an emergency medical technician (EMT) have also been issued notice." 

The team also interacted with female patients in the labour room regarding their health and any difficulty they faced during delivery at the polyclinic. Necessary instructions regarding proper signages, outside lighting, hygiene and biomedical waste were issued, he informed.

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