Patna: State health secretary Kumar Ravi on Thursday warned that govt doctors found absent from duty without approved leave would face immediate suspension and departmental action. He also directed strict action against govt doctors found referring patients to private hospitals unnecessarily or engaging in private practice during official duty hours.The directives were issued during a review meeting held via video conferencing, where the functioning of govt hospitals in Arwal, Bhojpur, Lakhisarai and Saharsa districts was assessed. The review covered doctor attendance, emergency and OPD rosters, surgeries, patient referrals and online service reporting on the BHAVYA portal.Ravi instructed civil surgeons to ensure strict implementation of duty rosters and report any unauthorised absence immediately. He said complaints of patient diversion to private facilities would be dealt with firmly under service rules.“Unauthorised absence from duty will not be tolerated under any circumstances. If a doctor is found absent without prior approval of leave, the matter must be reported to the department immediately for suspension and initiation of departmental proceedings,” Ravi said.At the same time, the health secretary said doctors and healthcare workers demonstrating exceptional performance would be recognised and rewarded.Reviewing hospital performance, Ravi praised Bhojpur Sadar Hospital for effective roster management and healthcare delivery, and asked other districts to adopt the “Bhojpur model”.He also directed civil surgeons to optimise the deployment of specialist doctors, increase surgical procedures and strengthen emergency services across government hospitals.
