6 Beed contractual doctors sacked for absenteeism

Beed: Six contractual doctors working at government-run clinics for underprivileged people in the district have been sacked for habitual absenteeism and negligence in patient care, officials said on Wednesday.

The doctors were attached to clinics under the Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana scheme, launched two years ago to provide affordable and accessible primary healthcare to urban labourers and low-income families who cannot visit hospitals during regular working hours.

The Aapla Dawakhana clinics operate from 2 pm to 10 pm and are staffed with medical officers, nurses, lab technicians, and attendants.

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Officials said the dismissals followed numerous complaints from residents that doctors and staff at several centres were failing to report for duty. Their absence was depriving patients, especially daily wage earners and underprivileged citizens, of much-needed healthcare services, according to the PTI.

Acting on these complaints, Beed Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Jitin Rahman instructed District Health Officer Dr Ulhas Gandal to carry out surprise inspections across various health centres in the city.

During these checks, six doctors attached to Aapla Dawakhana and Urban Health Extension Centres were found absent without prior notice, despite repeated warnings. Their contracts were terminated on Tuesday, a senior health department official stated, as per the PTI.

The officials said that the move was intended to maintain accountability and ensure uninterrupted medical services for the underprivileged.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the Odisha Health Department issued show-cause notices to 244 government doctors who have been missing from duty for a long time. These doctors, posted at various government hospitals and health centres, have reportedly not turned up for work in months or even years without official leave. In the notice, the department has directed the doctors to respond and explain the reasons for their prolonged absence. It also said that if they fail to reply, strict action will be taken, including dismissal from service.

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