Mittal tells absentee docs to report by August 15

Punjab's health and family welfare minister Madan Mohan Mittal today directed doctors involved in private practice as well as other medical staff on foreign leave or absent for a long time to report back at their respective stations by August 15.

Punjab's health and family welfare minister Madan Mohan Mittal on Wednesday directed doctors involved in private practice as well as other medical staff on foreign leave or absent for a long time to report back at their respective stations by August 15.

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Mittal cautioned that those not abiding by the orders would have to face legal action and may even end up losing their jobs.

He said a campaign had been launched to ensure the presence of doctors at government hospitals to ensure better health facilities for the public.

The department has started compiling information about doctors and nurses who have been on leave for long, he added.

"As per an estimate, more than 50 doctors and 100 nurses are abroad, while more than 50 doctors are absent from their respective places of posting and are doing private practice, thereby affecting working of government hospitals," Mittal added.

The minister said doctors working for more than three years in slum areas could avail of the facility of getting posted at the station of their choice.