Bhubaneswar, June 18: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to take stringent disciplinary action against 128 doctors who have remained absent from duty in various government hospitals across Odisha for more than five years.

According to official sources, the absentee doctors include medical officers and dental surgeons who have failed to report to their workplaces despite repeated notices and public announcements issued through newspapers. The state government has now initiated steps to proceed against them for unauthorized absence from service.

In a related development, the Chief Minister approved the dismissal of Dr. Bichakhyana Panigrahy, former Medical Officer at the Kandhamal Police Hospital, from government service. Dr. Panigrahy had reportedly remained absent without authorization since 2012. Despite several directives from the department asking him to explain his absence and rejoin duty, he failed to respond or resume work.

The government cited his prolonged absence and lack of commitment to patient care as the reasons for his dismissal.

Emphasizing the state's commitment to strengthening healthcare services, Majhi said the government is prioritizing the expansion and modernization of medical infrastructure by establishing new hospitals, upgrading existing healthcare facilities, and setting up new medical colleges across Odisha.

“While the government is making significant investments to improve healthcare services, it is unacceptable for doctors to remain absent after being appointed and neglect their responsibilities towards patients. Such negligence will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” the Chief Minister said.

The action is being viewed as part of the state government's broader effort to ensure accountability and improve the delivery of public healthcare services.