Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh – In a firm move to uphold discipline in public health services, the Uttar Pradesh government has removed four doctors from duty after they remained absent for more than a year without prior permission or official approval.
Disciplinary Action Initiated
The doctors who were suspended include Dr Rajkumar, a pediatrician posted in Pilibhit District Hospital, Dr Vinay Kumar, posted at Jalalabad CHC in Shahjahanpur, Dr Shashi Bhusan, posted in Unnao, and Dr. Avneesh Kumar, an Assistant Professor in the Ortho department at Kannauj Govt Medical College.
Deputy Chief Minister and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak directed health authorities to terminate the services of these four medical officers, following a departmental inquiry that confirmed their prolonged absence from duty without authorization. The doctors reportedly failed to respond to repeated calls from officials and offered no satisfactory explanation for their long absence.
Zero Tolerance for Indiscipline
“Withholding service for an extended period without information or a valid reason is unacceptable,” Pathak stated. “Service in public health is akin to serving God, and such negligence cannot be tolerated,” he added. He instructed strict disciplinary measures and warned that similar conduct by any staff would lead to immediate action.
Broader Crackdown on Absenteeism
This order comes in the backdrop of a larger crackdown. In July 2024, the state dismissed 17 doctors collectively for being absent without notice, marking the highest single-day removal of medical officers this year. Over the past year, more than 70 government doctors were reported removed for dereliction of duty across the state.
Reports suggest an even deeper issue: more than 700 doctors were identified as missing from duty for extended periods — in some cases stretching beyond five years — prompting further action in various districts.
Government’s Rationale and Process
The removal decision followed established rules on “unauthorized absence,” where leaves not granted by supervisors and exceeding acceptable durations amount to serious misconduct. Absent doctors had violated built-in protocols for reporting leave, triggering departmental proceedings. In public employment law, such removal is permitted as long as proper warning and due process have been observed, especially when the post needs filling and the individual’s absence disrupts public service efficiency.
Public health experts argue this strict messaging is crucial, as unattended health centres and community clinics already suffer from personnel shortages.
Impact on Healthcare Services
This disciplinary move aims to ensure accountability in the healthcare sector and restore trust in government-run facilities. According to officials, performance and attendance monitoring will be intensified, and health administrators have been told to track absenteeism closely.
Sources indicate the terminations primarily involve medical officers at primary health centres and community health centres in rural areas. In earlier similar cases, doctors from districts like Aligarh and Gonda had been removed for unjustified absence lasting several months.
What Lies Ahead
The Health Department now plans to strengthen supervision at remote facilities, mandating attendance registers, surprise visits, and better communication between hospital administrators and district health officials.
In addition, Dr. Pathak has announced disciplinary proceedings against other staffs, and directed hospital authorities to crack down on private practice during duty hours.
