Paging Dr Nowhere: Rajasthan govt moves to terminate 697 ‘missing’ doctors from duty

JAIPUR: Rajasthan’s health department has begun action against 697 govt doctors who are officially shown as serving the state but have been absent for years — some for over two decades. The list spans gynaecology, paediatrics, radiology, surgery, and general medical officers, laying bare a staffing crisis in govt hospitals where specialists are missing and patients are left waiting.

On paper, these doctors still occupy sanctioned posts, meaning the system treats the jobs as filled and fresh recruitment can’t be initiated. The result: hospitals look staffed in files, while wards run short of critical expertise.

The department has now started moving to terminate doctors who were earlier served notices for remaining voluntarily absent but did not respond. “The process of cancelling their appointment has started. We are taking details about these doctors from the officers of districts where they are posted,” said Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma, director (public health), speaking to TOI.

He said the doctors have not been paid salaries during their absence, but still remain govt employees in official records.

According to the health department, the missing doctors might have joined private hospitals, started their own clinics, or joined medical colleges for higher studies in foreign countries.

Examples from the department’s records underline how long these personnel have been “missing”. In Udaipur, a senior gynaecology specialist has been absent since Aug 2013. Yet, the individual continues to be listed as a govt doctor. In another instance, also in Udaipur, a paediatrician has been absent since July 2004, nearly 22 years, after being transferred.

In Ajmer’s JLN Hospital, a surgery specialist and medical officer has remained absent since Feb 21, 2007 — the same date he was served a transfer order.

Officials say many stopped reporting from the date of transfer, while awaiting orders, or after being posted following completion of postgraduate studies in govt medical institutions. The department is treating such prolonged absence as defiance of official orders and negligence of duty.

The health department has sent the list to chief medical and health officers (CMHOs) across districts, seeking reports on action taken and each medic’s current status. CMHOs have been directed to prepare and send separate disciplinary action proposals under CCA rules within five days against doctors who have remained voluntarily absent for more than one year.

If any doctor is willing to report back, officials have been asked to send proposals with clear recommendations. Where absence exceeds a year, district authorities have been told to issue notices, complete service proceedings and forward disciplinary proposals.

The department has also ordered recovery proceedings against govt doctors who completed postgraduate courses under the in-service (govt doctor quota) but went absent before completing the “mandatory state service” required under their bond.
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