BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to improve healthcare delivery and check rampant absenteeism among doctors in the peripheral centres, the State Government has put Chief District Medical Officers (CDMOs) on notice.
Health Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak on Wednesday instructed the district medical heads to not only strictly monitor the presence of doctors in their respective positions but also ensure that they render effective service to the people. The CDMOs have also been asked to interact daily with doctors in their districts and conduct regular checks to ensure proper attendance among the medical personnel in their respective centres.
Acknowledging absenteeism among doctors to be a major cause of concern, Nayak said, there should be zero tolerance to such practice. “The CDMOs, henceforth, will be accountable for presence of doctors at their posts. They are adequately staffed in most places and along with ADMOs can effectively monitor. Any lapses in this regard will be viewed seriously,” the Minister warned.
Speaking at the two-day CDMOs’ conference here, Nayak also called upon them to take proactive steps for ensuring provisioning of free medicines to the patients. The Government is procuring medicines for almost all the diseases and supplying them to the hospitals and health centres for free distribution among patients.
“But, doctors continue to prescribe costly medicines despite the very formulations available for free supply at their centres. This practice has to be curbed and CDMOs have a vital role in ensuring it,” he said.
The Minister reiterated the Government’s commitment towards developing health infrastructure and facilities right from the top to the grassroots level. With the mission of making quality healthcare accessible for all, the Government has prepared a `3,275 crore masterplan for establishment and upgradation of facilities. The CDMOs should ensure proper functioning of the healthcare centres as well as optimal utilisation of modern equipment that are installed for the benefit of patients.
Health Secretary Arati Ahuja and Mission Director NHM Roopa Mishra also stressed proper implementation of health programmes and plans in their regions.