Tajdar H Zaidi
LUCKNOW— In a stern move to enforce accountability in the state’s health sector, Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has ordered the termination of three government doctors for prolonged absence from duty without notice.
The doctors were posted in Agra, Barabanki, and Shrawasti, and the Deputy CM has instructed the Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health, to immediately process their terminations.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over laxity and misconduct in government hospitals, where several incidents have highlighted negligence in patient care.
Surprisingly, the majority of doctors were not showing any moral and ethical responsibility, even though last year the government had dismissed the services of 26 doctors after they were found seriousdelinquentction of duty.
Irregularities at Varanasi Hospital
At Kabi Chaura District Hospital in Varanasi, a serious lapse was reported when a staff nurse prepared a referral slip for a pregnant woman without a doctor even examining her.
The woman had reached the hospital on August 18, seeking urgent medical care. Pathak has ordered a show-cause notice and suspension for the staff nurse and recommended disciplinary action against the woman doctor on duty.
In addition, the hospital’s chief superintendent will also face disciplinary proceedings for failing to coordinate the staff effectively.
Probes Reveal Widespread Negligence
The crackdown extends to other districts as well:
Mirzapur: Four medical officers are facing action after being found negligent in attending to the wife of an administrative officer.
The former Chief Medical Officer of Mirzapur has been charged with irregularities in bill payments dating back to 2002, and recovery of ₹4.35 lakh has been ordered, including deductions from pension for a retired doctor accused of taking bribes for nurse transfers.
Ayodhya: Two doctors have been reprimanded for prescribing medicines from the open market, bypassing hospital protocols.
Prayagraj Medical College: A teacher has had three salary increments withheld after a probe confirmed engagement in private practice, which is strictly prohibited for government doctors and medical faculty.
Dy CM’s Firm Message
Speaking on the issue, Pathak emphasized the ethical and professional responsibility of medical personnel:
Government doctors and medical teachers must adhere to service rules and ensure proper care of patients.
Laxity in duty will not be tolerated, and any financial irregularities will face recovery.”
The decision has been widely hailed as a wake-up call for the state’s health sector, addressing a long-standing concern that some medical professionals were drawing salaries without fulfilling their duties.
Health activist Jyotirmoy Dutta praised the move but lamented the larger issue: If doctors devoted themselves wholeheartedly to the noble profession they chose, countless lives could be saved.
Unfortunately, only a few are truly dedicated, while others treat patients’ lives as trivial.”
This crackdown reflects the Uttar Pradesh government’s zero-tolerance policy towards negligence and corruption in healthcare, aiming to restore public trust in government medical institutions.
