THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Directorate of Health Department has speeded up the process to expel 324 doctors, not on probation and are currently absent from service illegally. In the last few days, 33 people have been expelled through various orders. The rest will be fired immediately.

There are 600 people on illegal leave in the health department. Out of this, 276 doctors are on probation. The action is against those who have been away from service since 2008. The Medical Education Department expelled three people.

337 people including doctors are absent from medical colleges. Of these, 291 have been issued show-cause notices. Once the 15-day time allowed to get back to work expires, the dismissal order will be issued. There is a severe shortage of doctors in the general hospitals under the health department directorate and in medical colleges under the medical education department. A new law will be possible only if such people are expelled from service.

A large majority of the illegal absentees have not even responded to the show cause notice. Most have joined the private sector while some have gone abroad.