ACB flags major lapses at NTR Hospital; 22 medical staff face action
The report, based on a surprise inspection in February 2020 and submitted in June this year, recommended major penalties against the then District Coordinator of Health Services (DCHS), nine doctors, and 12 nurses. Citing lapses such as unauthorised canteen operations, failure to disclose patient meal details, irregular civil works, poor food quality monitoring, and mismanagement of hospital duties, the report painted a grim picture of hospital administration.
The DCHS was specifically accused of failing to enforce staff attendance and neglecting key supervisory responsibilities. Disciplinary action has also been recommended against nine doctors for negligence, and 12 nurses for patient overexposure, poor hygiene, lack of diet charts, and improper medicine documentation.
The Minister also ordered action against a driver for fuel misappropriation worth Rs 74,000 and a sanitation worker for unauthorised medical dressing duties. Reaffirming his commitment to reform public healthcare, Minister Yadav said the move underscores the government's zero-tolerance approach to corruption and inefficiency. Since assuming office, he has prioritised staff accountability, regular inspections, and performance-based transfers.
In recent months, the government has reassigned hospital superintendents, medical college principals, office superintendents, and clerical staff to plug loopholes in governance. Non-performers were removed and replacements appointed on merit.
Field-level officers, including District Medical and Health Officers (DMHOs), were instructed to ensure strict implementation of health schemes and maintain discipline in operations.
Calling the ACB report a reminder of past administrative failures, the Minister assured continued reforms to restore public confidence in government hospitals and ensure better service delivery.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
PGI's Rs 490 cr Advanced Neuroscience Centre nears launch by Sept
Chandigarh: India's healthcare system, currently facing a critical shortage of neurologists—with just one specialist available per million people—is on the brink of a major breakthrough. The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI), Chandigarh, is preparing to launch its long-awaited Advanced Neuroscience Centre, a Rs 490 crore project that promises to revolutionise neurological and neurosurgical care across the country. Approved in 2017 and with construction beginning in 2020, the centre is now nearing full operationalisation. PGI officials have confirmed that the outpatient department (OPD) is expected to become functional by September, marking a significant milestone in the journey to improve access to specialised brain and spine treatment. Once fully operational, the centre will join the ranks of premier institutions like NIMHANS Bengaluru and AIIMS Delhi's Cardiothoracic and Neurosciences Centre. However, PGI's facility stands out for its integrated model, combining neurology and neurosurgery services under one roof. "This will be the largest such centre in India where both specialities are housed in a single building," said a PGI official. "Beds will be consolidated, not scattered across departments, ensuring seamless care for patients. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Access all TV channels anywhere, anytime Techno Mag Learn More Undo " The project has faced several hurdles over the years. Construction was halted during the Covid pandemic in March, 2020 and resumed with limited labour by June. More recently, delays were caused by the renewal of pollution control clearance from the state pollution control board and the calculation of property tax arrears owed by PGI. Despite these challenges, the administration remains optimistic about the centre's phased rollout. The facility will feature 300 general ward beds, 10 modular operating theatres, dedicated ICUs, 10 High Dependency Unit (HDU) beds, and 30 private ward beds. It will offer advanced sub-specialities such as cerebrovascular surgery, skull base surgery, and spinal functional neurosurgery. A key highlight is the Brain Suite, a specialised operating room designed for complex neurosurgical procedures. While some equipment requests—like a 3T MRI, Bi-plane DSA, and dual-energy CT scan—were scaled down due to budget constraints, PGI faculty believe the centre will still significantly enhance diagnostic and treatment capabilities. "Patients come from all corners of India because of the expertise and affordability PGI offers," said a senior faculty member. The Advanced Neuroscience Centre is expected to serve as a national hub for neurological care, addressing a long-standing gap in specialised treatment. With its integrated approach and cutting-edge infrastructure, the centre is poised to offer a lifeline to thousands of patients who currently struggle to access timely and affordable brain and spine care. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
HC stays conviction of vax scientist for wife's suicide; cites 'national interest'; allows returns to duty
. DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand HC has suspended the conviction and five-year rigorous imprisonment of a vaccine scientist found guilty of abetment to suicide following the death of his wife in 2015. Justice Ravindra Maithani granted the relief to Dr Akash Yadav during the pendency of his appeal, saying his role was "undoubtedly essential for public health and national interest" and his conviction had rendered him ineligible to continue contributing to vaccine programmes. Yadav, a vaccinologist with a PhD in biotechnology from IIT-Kgp, had been working as a senior manager at Indian Immunologicals Limited, a PSU that makes human and veterinary vaccines and plays a critical role in national immunisation efforts. tnn Court allows scientist to resume duties at IIL Yadav was convicted by a sessions court under IPC section 306 for abetment to suicide but was acquitted under section 304-B (dowry death) and the Dowry Prohibition Act. He married on May 7, 2015. His wife, who was employed at Pantnagar University, was taken to her maternal home by her brother on July 4, 2015, while Yadav was working in Hyderabad. She resumed her duties but died by suicide on Dec 14, 2015. In her suicide note, she stated that her husband would be responsible for her death. Yadav was arrested on May 11, 2017, and after spending more than three months in jail, he got bail on Aug 28. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: New Container Houses (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo On Jan 21 this year, the sessions judge of Rudrapur sentenced him to five-year RI and a fine of Rs 20,000 under Section 306. After being granted bail, Yadav filed an interim application under section 389(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, seeking suspension of his conviction. He submitted that because of the conviction, he had become disqualified from working with Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL) and was unable to resume his scientific duties. His counsel argued that the case met the criteria for exceptional circumstances, as the conviction had a direct impact on "work of national importance." Justice Maithani noted that an appellate court can suspend a conviction if failure to do so would result in injustice or irreversible consequences. He cited the Supreme Court rulings in Navjot Singh Sidhu vs State of Punjab (2007) and Rama Narang vs Ramesh Narang (1995) and said that courts must examine whether maintaining the conviction would unfairly affect a person's professional standing or public interest responsibilities. The bench observed, "This was a greater issue of public health and national interest. In light of the afore-stated reasons, the court was of the view that this was a fit case in which the order of conviction as well as execution of sentence, appealed against, should be suspended." The high court suspended both the conviction and sentence during the appeal's pendency, allowing Yadav to resume his duties at IIL. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Six months on, ASHA workers still await promised pay hike in Karnataka
Bengaluru: Over six months after chief minister Siddaramaiah promised a salary hike for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) following their three-day overnight protest in Jan, the workers say they haven't received any increment. ASHA workers are female community health workers who act as bridge between members of the public and the health department. "People in our villages believe we are now getting Rs 10,000, but we have received nothing. We're speechless. Was the promise fake and just to suppress the protest?" questioned ASHA workers, highlighting the growing frustration across the state. ASHA workers, who currently get a salary of Rs 8,000 inclusive of all benefits, had asked the govt to increase their remuneration. After three days of round-the-clock protests by them at Freedom Park, the CM promised a salary hike of Rs 2,000 and asked them to withdraw the protest. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru However, month after month, ASHA workers waited for their promise to be fulfilled. Now, still waiting, they are gathering in a statewide protest from Aug 12 to 14. The ASHA Workers' Union claims that no discussions or meetings have been held, nor has any official circular been sent out announcing the hike. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Start in Data Science & AI BITS Pilani Digital Apply Now Undo Rama TC, ASHA Union state vice-president, said, "ASHA workers are the backbone of the state health department, tirelessly working to ensure health and hygiene is maintained in all nooks and corners of the state, but we're treated the worst. If the state itself won't stand on the words and promises made, who should we ask?" Farhana, an ASHA worker from the city, told TOI: "I was there when the CM spoke to us… they agreed to Rs 10,000 and told us we would be given extra based on performance. When we try to contact the officials, all they say is just don't give up, they ask us to wait. How much should we wait? A lot of other changes happening in the system, including a new performance appraisal, is creating confusion." GFX OTHER CONCERNS OF WORKERS * The state govt now says a new performance appraisal system has been introduced to pay ASHA workers extra. However, ASHA workers have raised concerns about the new system being tied to the RCH (Reproductive Child Health) portal, which they claim is flawed and unreliable. "We're being judged based on data that's either missing or incorrectly entered due to lack of trained staff and portal issues. Also, the entry into the RCH portal will be made by the MHO (medical health officer) or doctors at primary health centres," they explained. While ASHA workers are already uploading their cases into the RCH to digitalise cases and their work, they say the website is maintained poorly and has a lot of loopholes. * ASHA workers are also raising strong objection to the state govt's rationalisation directive, which proposes increasing the population covered by each worker from 1,000 to 2,000 in rural areas. This change, workers say, effectively doubles their workload while simultaneously putting thousands of jobs at risk, as one worker would now cover the duties of two. "This move is not about efficiency; it's about cutting down the workforce," said a senior ASHA leader, warning that the new norm could lead to large-scale displacement, especially in rural and peri-urban regions. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
