UP: 229 Doctors appointment letters cancelled for not joining duty

Lucknow: Taking action against 229 doctors in Uttar Pradesh who failed to join duty in government hospitals within six months post the issued date of appointment letter, the state health department cancelled their appointment letters barring them from joining anymore.  

The order issued by the director (administration) medical health read, "The selected doctors did not join duty, neither did they give any representation/letter regarding when they will join duty. Hence, as per the rules, their appointment letter is being cancelled." 

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A senior health official said, "The order means these doctors will not be able to join duty now. They can perhaps apply again when vacancies are announced if they wish to work for government hospitals." 

These doctors, whose appointments have been cancelled, have specializations in different fields like gynaecology, paediatrics, ENT, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, pathology, microbiology, forensics, anaesthesia, psychiatry and public health. 

The appointment letters were issued to the doctors in March by the Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC). Out of the 1000 doctors shortlisted by the UPSC, the appointment letter was issued to around 415 doctors who reported to the directorate of medical health. Out of the 415 doctors, around 200 doctors joined duty but the remaining failed to turn up, reports the Hindustan Times. 

The director general medical health, in October, sent to the state government a list of doctors who had failed to join their duty within six months of being given the appointment letter. Based on that, the state government cancelled the appointment of such doctors. 

Dr Abhishek Shukla, secretary general, the Association of International Doctors said, "Government hospitals are best for gaining experience to work under pressure, in a diversified but focused manner. Particularly, young doctors, if they get a chance, should not skip work at a government hospital." The state is already reeling under a shortage of doctors, with around 14000 government doctors working in government hospitals against the sanctioned strength of 18000 government doctors. 

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