Patiala: A circular was recently issued by the Rajindra Hospital of the Patiala Government Medical College warning doctors not to leave their stations unattended so that they remain available during cases of emergency.
The circular states, "No one without taking a leave or permission should leave the station." The circular was issued following reports of doctors remaining unavailable at the time of an emergency were received by the hospital authorities.
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The doctors were allegedly not maintaining their stations and the rules state that a doctor should be available within a 5-km radius of the hospital. The Director Principal of the Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital issued the circular to all department heads, stating that it has come to his notice that many doctors and staff members were not maintaining their station, affecting the health services and violating the Civil Rules.
As per a media report in the Tribune, around 24 doctors of the hospital were found not maintaining their stations despite claiming house rent for staying in Patiala. Some doctors leave their Patiala station after attending OPDs from 8 am to 2 pm.
A senior hospital doctor said, "These doctors have not been making evening rounds to check-up patients admitted to the hospital, which is required as per the rules. The authorities should conduct surprise checks to identify offenders."
Rajindra Hospital, which is linked with the Patiala Government Medical College, was built in 1954 and is a major hospital in Punjab. It has a capacity of 900 beds and has specialized staff for Surgery, Ultrasonography, Obstetrics, Radiotherapy, and Plastic Surgery.
team had earlier reported cases of senior doctors, including the heads of various departments (HODs) of Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital indulging in private medical practice despite receiving non-practicing allowance (NPA).
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