Health officials penalised for dereliction of duty in Jammu

Several officials of the health department were penalised for dereliction of duty when Health Minister Choudhary Lal Singh conducted a surprise visit at hospitals across Jammu, an official spokesman said.
The Minister visited Government Hospital Gandhi Nagar and found three senior doctors having not attended the call duty as per routine roaster.
He imposed fine of Rs 1000 on each of them for dereliction of duties. He also imposed fine of Rs 10,000 on Medical Superintendent of the hospital for not maintaining cleanliness and improper housekeeping including laundry services in the hospital.
During a visit to the Public Health Centre Bari Brahamna in Samba district, the minister imposed a fine of Rs 500 on the Pharmacist for keeping the expired medicines in the pharmacy and directed him to display a list of unexpired medicines.

The minister also imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on the Block Medical Officer Vijaypur in Kathua district for remaining absent from the duty and Rs 500 on the community health officer of Vijaypur for not maintaining proper records in the hospital.
At Sub district hospital Ghagwal, the minister imposed a fine of Rs 3000 on Paramedic staff and Rs 5000 on Block Medical Officer for absence of most of the staff in the hospital.

In the emergency block of Vijaypur Hospital, the minister found that some of the patients were without pillow and bed sheets and he imposed fine of Rs 1000 on Incharge Medical Officer, the spokesman said.

The Minister also directed the Block Medical Officer to store sufficient stock of medicines including equipments as medical aid camps are being arranged for Amarnath Yatris at various places during the Yatra period.
"All the hospitals of the rural pockets and remote areas have been equipped with all infrastructural facilities with adequate staff and medicines" he said.
Choudhary also directed concerned authorities to ensure frequent surprise checks to ensure that no official remains absent from duties.