Unauthorised leave: Action against 601 doctors, 84 doctors dismissed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Health Department has started action against 601 doctors who have been staying on leave without proper authorisation. Health Minister Veena George stated that action will be taken against 444 doctors whose probation has not been declared and 157 doctors whose probation has been declared.

In the past year alone, 84 doctors from this list were dismissed — including 81 whose probation was not declared and 3 whose probation was declared. Action against the remaining doctors is in various stages. Just recently, 51 doctors under the Department of Medical Education were also dismissed.

This comes at a time when many hospitals are facing a shortage of doctors. If these doctors continue to remain in service records without actually working, it blocks the appointment of new candidates from the rank list. This also denies opportunities to deserving job seekers.

Government employees are allowed a maximum of five years of leave during their service. However, many doctors take leave and go to work in private hospitals or abroad and do not return even after the leave period ends. Though notices were sent and opportunities given to rejoin duty, those who failed to return are now being dismissed in phases.