Bihar Health Minister cracks down on absentee doctors, warns against referring patients to private clinics

Patna, July 8 (IANS) Bihar Health Minister Nishant Kumar has intensified his surprise inspections of government hospitals, warning that negligence, absenteeism, and unethical practices by doctors will not be tolerated.

Following recent inspections at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) and Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Orthopaedic Hospital in Rajvanshi Nagar, the Minister announced strict action against doctors found absent from duty and those allegedly referring patients to their private hospitals.

After inspecting LNJP Orthopaedic Hospital, Nishant Kumar found several doctors absent from their assigned duties.

He said show-cause notices would be issued to the absent doctors and disciplinary proceedings would follow if their explanations were found unsatisfactory.

He reiterated that government doctors are expected to remain available during duty hours and provide uninterrupted healthcare services to patients.

Nishant Kumar also warned that strict action would be taken against doctors who allegedly persuade patients to seek treatment at their private clinics or hospitals instead of government facilities.

He said such practices are unacceptable and undermine public confidence in the state's healthcare system.

“I visited LNJP yesterday, but the doctors had not turned up. When I called them, they started offering excuses. Show-cause notices have been issued to them. Action will also be taken against a doctor who asked a patient to visit his private clinic,” the Health Minister said.

Addressing the ongoing issues at PMCH, Kumar said he had summoned the hospital Superintendent to discuss the concerns raised by junior doctors and work towards a resolution.

Junior doctors at PMCH had recently suspended work while demanding improved security and other measures after an alleged assault incident.

The Health Department Secretary has already held discussions with the protesting junior doctors, while the PMCH Superintendent met the Health Minister at the Secretariat as part of efforts to restore normal healthcare services.

The latest action follows Nishant Kumar's surprise inspection of PMCH on June 23, during which the then Principal, Dr Narendra Pratap Singh, was found absent from duty.

He was subsequently removed from the post, and Dr Geeta Sinha was assigned additional responsibility as Principal.

--IANS

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