Lucknow, May 8 (IANS). UP Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, while launching a big campaign against negligence and corruption in the health department, on Friday took strict action against many medical officers. Five medical officers have been dismissed from service on charges of long absence from duty, administrative negligence, irregularities in registration of private hospitals and negligence in the treatment of patients, while departmental disciplinary action has been ordered against 16 medical officers, including a Chief Medical Officer (CMO).
While giving instructions to the Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department, the Deputy Chief Minister said that playing with the lives of patients and negligence in government responsibilities will not be tolerated under any circumstances. The medical officers dismissed from service include Dr. Alaknanda of District Hospital Gorakhpur, Dr. Ramji Bhardwaj posted in Kushinagar, Dr. Saurabh Singh of Balrampur, Dr. Viklesh Kumar Sharma posted in CHC Jagdishpur, Amethi and Dr. Monica Verma of CHC Dibiyapur, Auraiya. All of them were accused of being absent from duty without notice for a long time and abstaining from medical work.
The biggest impact of the Health Department’s action was seen in Ambedkar Nagar, where Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sanjay Kumar Shaiwal and Deputy CMO Dr. Sanjay Verma were found guilty of irregularities in registration and renewal of private hospitals, nursing homes and ultrasound centres, ignoring government orders and misuse of position. The complaints were investigated by a three-member committee at the ADM level, after which departmental action was ordered against both the officers.
In Sandila, Hardoi, Medical Superintendent Dr. Manoj Kumar Singh was accused of not taking action against illegally running private hospitals and being negligent in his responsibilities. A departmental inquiry has been set up in this matter. Besides, an answer has also been sought from the CMO of Hardoi as to why the junior medical officer was given the charge of a senior post despite the presence of senior doctors. Transfer orders along with departmental action have been issued against Dr. Shamim Akhtar, Superintendent of Meja CHC, Prayagraj, on charges of administrative negligence and inability to control subordinates.
At the same time, instructions have been given to take action against the then Superintendent Dr. Anil Kumar Singh, Medical Officer Dr. Dharamraj and Pharmacist Avadhanarayan in the case of negligence in the treatment of a female patient in Lambhua CHC of Sultanpur. Orders for departmental disciplinary action have also been issued against Emergency Medical Officer Dr. Devendra Kumar and Surgeon Dr. Vikas Mishra in the case of alleged irregularities in medical examination in Mathura District Hospital. Apart from this, orders for investigation and disciplinary action have been given against medical officers posted in many districts including Balrampur, Varanasi, Badaun, Kheri and Sambhal on charges of negligence in duty and administrative irregularities.
Action will also be taken against Dr. Rituj Aggarwal, associate professor posted in the orthopedics department of Government Medical College, Badaun, on the charges of indecency and abusing the female medical officer and other doctors. The Health Department has given censure punishment to two medical officers, Dr. Pratibha Yadav of Bahraich and Dr. Rakesh Singh of Mathura. At the same time, orders have been given to terminate the deputation of Dr. Aditya Pandey, who was posted on deputation under the cashless medical scheme of the State Health Agency, and send him back to his original place of posting, Rae Bareli.
Along with this, the salary increment of many medical officers has also been stopped. Three increments of Hamirpur gynecologist Dr. Lalmani have been permanently stopped on charges of extortion from pregnant women and indecency. Four increments of Dr. Santosh Singh of Balrampur and two increments of Dr. Nisha Bundela of Jhansi have been stopped.
Instructions have been issued to stop two increments and impose censure punishment on Dr. Pawan Sahu, an ortho surgeon posted at Trauma Center Moth, Jhansi, if the charges of private practice are proved. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak clearly said that the government is working on the policy of ‘zero tolerance’ to ensure transparency and accountability in health services and those who compromise with the interests of patients will not be spared at any cost.
–IANS
wickety/pm
