In a bold move to strengthen public healthcare accountability, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has ordered strict disciplinary action against 128 Medical Officers and Dental Surgeons who have remained absent from duty for more than five years.
The state government had previously issued public notices in newspapers urging these doctors to explain their prolonged absence and report back to work. Despite repeated reminders, many failed to respond or resume duties, prompting the Chief Minister to direct the Health Department to initiate departmental proceedings against all of them.
In one decisive case, Dr Bichakhyana Panigrahy, former Medical Officer at Kandhamal Police Hospital, has been removed from government service. Dr. Panigrahi had been unauthorisedly absent since 2012. Multiple show-cause notices were issued to her over the years, yet she neither provided valid reasons nor joined her posting. Her continued neglect of patient care ultimately led to her dismissal.
Speaking on the development, Chief Minister Majhi stressed that the state is making massive investments in healthcare infrastructure. “We are building new hospitals, modernising existing facilities, and opening new medical colleges to strengthen health services across Odisha,” he said.
“But we will not tolerate a situation where doctors, after receiving government appointments, choose to remain absent and deprive patients of essential care. This cannot be accepted under any circumstances.”
