Healthcare – Government Moves Ahead With Action Against Absent Doctors

Healthcare – The state Health Department has intensified disciplinary proceedings against government doctors who remained away from duty for extended periods without official approval. Authorities have initiated the final stage of action against 43 Civil Assistant Surgeons after they failed to respond to notices and departmental charges issued over their prolonged absence from service.

Government Takes Firm Stand on Absenteeism

Health Minister Y. Satya Kumar Yadav stated that the administration is committed to ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services for the public. He said doctors entrusted with government responsibilities cannot remain absent from their assigned posts without authorization and expect leniency. According to the minister, the 43 doctors now face permanent removal from service after repeatedly ignoring official communications seeking explanations for their absence.

Several of the doctors had reportedly stayed away from duty for years, creating concerns about the impact on healthcare delivery in government hospitals and medical institutions.

Action Follows Earlier Enforcement Drive

The latest disciplinary measures come shortly after a similar initiative undertaken by the state administration. In a previous crackdown carried out through the Directorate of Medical Education, 51 doctors serving in teaching hospitals were removed from their positions due to unauthorized absence and related service violations.

Officials said the current exercise is being implemented through the Directorate of Secondary Health and covers specialists working in departments such as General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology, and several other medical disciplines.

More Than 100 Doctors Identified

Departmental records indicate that authorities identified 118 permanent government doctors who were absent without obtaining the required permissions. Under existing service regulations, government employees who remain away from duty for more than one year without approval can face termination from service.

Based on these provisions, the department initiated formal proceedings against the identified doctors. The first phase of the process has now resulted in the proposed dismissal of the 43 doctors who did not respond to official notices or disciplinary charges.

Resignations Submitted During Proceedings

The investigation also revealed that several doctors chose to resign after receiving show-cause notices. A total of 34 medical professionals submitted resignation letters during the disciplinary process.

Officials said the government is expected to approve the resignations of 15 doctors whose cases met the required procedural conditions. However, the remaining 19 doctors submitted their resignations after formal charges had already been framed against them, leading to a different course of action.

Inquiry Ordered in Several Cases

To examine these pending matters, the department has invoked provisions under the AP Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1991. As part of the process, 11 district-level inquiry officers have been appointed to review the circumstances surrounding the conduct of the concerned doctors.

The inquiry teams will assess records, seek explanations where necessary, and submit findings to the department before any final decisions are taken.

Explanations and Return to Duty Under Review

Authorities also reported that 19 doctors responded to departmental notices by citing personal circumstances as the reason for their prolonged absence. These explanations will be scrutinized through a formal review process before further action is considered.

Meanwhile, nine Civil Assistant Surgeons have resumed their duties after receiving notices from the department. In addition, requests and representations submitted by 13 other doctors are currently being examined by the government.

Director of Secondary Health Chakradhar Babu said future decisions will depend on the findings of the ongoing inquiries, the responses received from the doctors involved, and the recommendations submitted by investigating officers.