Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Jun 6: The state health department, which was strict in taking stern steps against absentee doctors, has now opened its doors for those doctors who are on long, unsanctioned leave. Such doctors can straightaway re-join for duties without the need to report to higher authorities.

This measure has been taken by the state government to meet the problem of shortage of doctors. The mistake of the doctors who went on long leave without information would be condoned as per a circular issued by the principal secretary in the department of health and family welfare, Jawaid Akhtar. As per the revised instructions contained in the circular, unless the doctor on long, unauthorized absence has been dismissed after departmental inquiry, he should be allowed to join duties immediately on his return to serve the department. "In case of doctors or staff who are absent for prolonged period without authorization, they can be kept on suspension only if necessary later and hold departmental inquiry by either suspending or not suspending them and penalising them. Whenever they come back, the concerned controlling officers should immediately reappoint them to the medical service," the circular says.

In the past, as per the rules of the department, doctors who are absent for more than 120 days wold be treated as unauthorized absence. In many cases, doctors leave the department for personal reasons, higher studied, or administrative reasons. Now they have a chance to come back to the department.

A senior officials in the department said that primary health centres, taluk and district hospitals etc are faced with acute shortage of doctors and doctors are not willing to serve in rural areas. Therefore, the department plans to retain absentee doctors instead of losing them, as it creates further problems for the department.