Karnataka Health department orders recall of doctors, staff on deputation

The directive, issued on May 7, impacts officers and staff across all categories, particularly those posted in the Medical Education Department on what were initially short-term assignments. Despite completing their deputation periods, many continued in those roles, leading to staffing gaps in essential health facilities such as district hospitals, taluk hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres.

According to The New Indian Express, the government noted that this prolonged deputation has disrupted service delivery in critical health institutions. As a corrective measure, it has canceled all such extended postings and instructed that affected personnel return immediately to the Health and Family Welfare Department. The Health Commissioner has been tasked with coordinating with the concerned departments to ensure the swift repatriation of the staff. Additionally, a detailed report confirming the redeployment of returning employees is to be submitted to the government without delay.

To enforce compliance, the government has warned that disciplinary action will be taken under civil service rules against any employee who fails to report back. The move is aimed at reinforcing the state's public health infrastructure by reallocating trained professionals to where they are most urgently required, reports the Daily.

Last year, the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) of Haryana also initiated efforts to repatriate around 20 doctors who have been posted on deputation to the Chandigarh health department for over a decade. A significant number of doctors who have exceeded these deputation limits were mentioned in the list provided by DGHS. It included 6 senior medical officers who have been on deputation for over 14 years and 16 medical officers for over 9 years.