Doc among 5 absent, DM orders investigation

Kanpur: As many as five employees including doctor in charge of primary health centre (Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centre) and a TB centre in Kidwai Nagar were found absent during random inspection of district magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh on Saturday. During checking of the OPD register, it was found that in charge Dr Smita Singh had put her signature on entries on Mar 27 while she was on training and entries were made by Dr Vivek Sonkar. DM asked the chief medical officer to investigate the matter and submit his report within a week.Singh ordered deduction of one day's salary of all absent employees. During inspection, Dr Vivek Sonkar was present while medical officer in charge Dr Smita Singh was absent. Attendance register showed employees Vikas, Vikas Yadav, Amit Kumar, Dr Shreya Sachan and Aman Shuila were absent.Singh directed CMO to ensure action against all absent employees. The district magistrate thereafter inspected the TB centre situated on the same premises and found that five out of 11 employees were attached to some other centre. He sought explanation from CMO within two days and also directed that the staff concerned be sent back to their original places of posting.The district magistrate was informed that prior to the Covid era, TB patients were admitted to the centre for treatment—a practice that is suspended. In response, he issued directives to resume the inpatient ward facilities and restore necessary amenities.Singh directed for health centres in the district to be monitored regularly and that irregularities be resolved promptly to improve healthcare services.