Doctor Absenteeism: Soon, Biometric attendance at state-run PHCs, CHCs

Hyderabad: While the primary health centres in the state may not have proper toilets, but they are sson going to have biometric machines to check the attendance of doctors and other medical personnel

Telangana Health Department is planning to implement biometric attendance system across the state with an aim to address the issue of unavailability of doctors, nurses and medical staff at primary health centres (PHC) and community health centres (CHC).

The move comes in response to the high degree of absenteeism observed at the PHC and the CHC level. According to a review held by the state health department, it was found that in some areas the attendance of doctors and nurses was less than 20 per cent.

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In small centre areas, doctors were seen skipping duty, it has been found.

"State health department has taken a great initiative of implementing biometric attendance in PHCs and CHCs. Due to few non-sincere doctors and nurses, many others and government hospitals have also come under the scanner.

Hence, by implementing it there is a possibility getting things back on track," Nagendra Osmania Hospital superintendent said.

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Doctors while welcoming the attendance system also pointed out that the government also needs to make a better arrangement of infrastructure. Moreover, doctors also pointed out that government with the biometric should also account for extra hours that are put in by the doctors

A doctor from Gandhi hospital, D Srujan told ANI, "The idea of implementing biometric attendance in PHC's and CHC's is good but the government also has to look at every aspect. Sometimes in case of emergencies, doctors have to work up to late nights and due to that they might miss next day morning attendance."

"In some hospitals, there is a shortage of doctors. So, due to the shortage of doctors, other doctors are getting burdened," he added.