Absent from Duty: DM suspends Medical Officer, seeks explanation from doctors

Pilibhit: Taking cognizance of absenteeism from medical duty, the District Magistrate (DM), Viabhav Shrivastav suspended a medical officer-in-charge at Puranpur community health centre (CHC) and called for an explanation from other doctors. 

The suspension came after the doctors were found missing from duty when the DM brought a few accident victims to the hospital. It so happened that the DM was on his way from Lucknow to Pilibhit when he witnessed an accident near Puranpur cooperative sugar mill on Pilibhit - Basti national highway 730.

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The DM carried the victims right away to the hospital. However, he found the doctors absent from medical duty.

Taking strict action, the DM dismissed the medical officer-in-charge and other doctors were called for an explanation on June 23, 2020, for being absent from duty when four people injured in the accident were brought to the hospital.

"The action against CHC in-charge Dr Kshatrapal and other doctors have been taken due to their negligence in carrying out their duties especially at the present alarming phase of Covid-19," Shrivastav told TOI.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported about a similar case of absenteeism from medical duty, wherein, a case was registered against a government medical officer in Chhattisgarh's Janjgir-Champa district for allegedly failing to report to coronavirus- related duty at the district hospital. 

Dr Patel, a medical officer posted at Community Health Centre (CHC) Malkharoda, was deputed to the Isolation and Covid ward of the district hospital on June 8 with immediate effect. But he did not turn up for duty, so the BMO lodged the complaint. The BMO stated in the complaint that Dr Patel''s absence could have led to a loss of life due to the pandemic at the hospital.

Also Read: Govt Doctor Booked Over Failure In Reporting For COVID Duty