KOZHIKODE: Health Minister K.K. Shylaja has warned of action against government doctors who go on leave unnecessarily or those who close the outpatient department early. She was here on Sunday to attend a review meeting in view of the rising fever cases across the State.
“It has come to our notice that some doctors are closing the outpatient department early and are taking leave unnecessarily. We don’t need such people in the department. We will consider it as unauthorised absence and take action against them,” she said.
Ms. Shylaja, however, said it did not mean that all government doctors were irresponsible. “The performance of a majority of them is impressive,” she added.
The Minister said government hospitals had been given permission to appoint doctors and nurses on temporary basis. Temporary sheds will be set up at hospitals which cannot accommodate the increasing number of patients. Direction has also been given to ensure that treatment was available round the clock.
The Department of Local Self-Government has taken steps to appoint a doctor and a nurse at primary health centres and two doctors and two nurses at community health centres. Steps will also be taken against private laboratories that charge exorbitant fee.
Health activists have been examining houses for fogging and if any place was left out, they too will be examined, the Minister added.
