DEHRADUN: Taking strict action against prolonged absenteeism, the Uttarakhand Health Department has terminated the services of 234 bonded medical officers who remained absent from duty without notice. Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat informed that these doctors had signed a bond to serve in State health services for five years after completing their studies in government medical colleges, often being posted in mountainous regions.
However, many of them failed to report to their assigned hospitals for extended periods. As per the bond terms, these doctors are required to pay a stipulated amount to obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) if they wish to exit the agreement. The Minister said that the Director of Medical Education has been instructed to initiate recovery of these amounts.
Additionally, Chief Medical Officers and hospital in-charges have been asked to submit explanations for failing to report the long absence of these doctors. The department will also send the list of these absentee doctors to the National Medical Council (NMC).
District-wise, the highest number of such absentee doctors were found in Chamoli (46), Nainital (41), Pithoragarh (25), and Uttarkashi (25), among others.
