Strict action against doctors absent for over a year: AP Minister Satya Kumar Yadav

Vijayawada: Doctors who remain absent from duty for more than a year without informing authorities will be terminated from government service, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav has warned.

The minister made it clear that strict action would be taken against doctors who fail to report to work even after an appointment or transfer. He said such doctors will be referred to the Directorate of Medical Education and will face disciplinary proceedings following an explanation.

The minister stated that attendance among doctors and health staff has improved by 8 per cent over the last 19 months, but that attendance alone does not reflect the quality of healthcare services.

Also read- 4 UP Govt doctors sacked over unauthorised absence

He further alleged that during the previous YSRC government, many doctors remained unofficially absent from duty for two to four years, which severely affected healthcare delivery in the state.

The Minister warned the doctors during a review meeting with medical superintendents of government hospitals, principals of government medical colleges and officials of NTR University of Health Sciences on Friday.

"As per the new norms, the government would terminate the services of those who remained absent from work for more than a year. If doctors who were appointed or transferred failed to report to work on time, they would be referred to the Directorate of Medical Education," he said as reported by Deccan Chronicle.

He advised the doctors to provide proper medical treatment to patients so that they would be healed and could return to their homes with a beaming smile on their faces.

Referring to the public opinion taken in December, 2025 on healthcare services, the minister said 60 to 70 per cent of the patients expressed satisfaction. He called upon the medical superintendents to rectify the remaining shortfall in the services.

Health secretary Saurabh Gaur said, "The department would come up with a system to monitor the government hospitals and the functioning of doctors in real time. As for providing out-patient ward services in the government hospitals last December, Visakhapatnam, Anantapur and Vijayawada hospitals secured the first, second and third positions respectively. They treated patients to a level of more than 100 per cent of the target."

Also read- Over 400 Govt doctors sacked due to their prolonged absence from duty