HC pulls up SCB Medical College Hospital over absenteeism
Orissa High Court
Cuttack: In a move to ensure accountability in public healthcare, the Odisha High Court has intensified its oversight of SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack. The court has directed the State Health & Family Welfare Department to implement stringent measures to address absenteeism and lapses in duty among doctors and hospital staff.
A division bench comprising Justices S.K. Sahoo and V. Narasingh issued the directive during a hearing on Thursday, expressing concern over the increasing trend of doctors skipping their official hospital duties to attend private clinics. The bench emphasized the need for stricter oversight and accountability mechanisms.
In response, the court has ordered the formation of an additional inspection team under the Health & Family Welfare Department.
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“This team, comprising officials not below the rank of deputy secretary, will conduct surprise inspections and submit periodical sealed reports to the Court for review, “ the bench said, taking on record an affidavit submitted by Prof Goutam Kumar Satpathy, superintendent of SCBMCH, reports TNIE.
Professor Satpathy, speaking via virtual mode, provided an overview of the hospital’s current staffing status and outlined the steps being taken to maintain discipline and enforce accountability. The situation will be reviewed again on September 18, when the next compliance report is expected to be submitted.
According to the affidavit, the hospital is currently facing a significant manpower crunch, with 87 faculty positions lying vacant. This includes 15 posts for professors, 33 for associate professors, 16 for assistant professors, and 23 for senior residents or tutors.
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Despite these shortages, SCBMCH continues to maintain its daily operations. The duty hours for OPD doctors are fixed from 9 AM to 5 PM, with a one-hour lunch break. Emergency services at the hospital remain functional round-the-clock, and inpatient care is managed through daily ward rounds, even on public holidays.
Additionally, the Regional Diagnostic Centre continues to provide uninterrupted services 24/7 under the supervision of the departments of pathology, biochemistry, and radiology.
