Action ordered against three errant doctors

Zira later told newspersons that the hospital lacked cleanliness and its staff seemed to be working under no control of senior officials of the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Jalandhar unit of the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association PCMS added a new twist to the high drama today by alleging that the minister8217;s behaviour during his visit to the hospital was 8220;rude and undemocratic.8221; The association in a statement alleged misbehaviour by the minister with a senior lady doctor when she reportedly pleaded her case.

The minister told reporters that he went to the hospital sharp at 8 in the morning and found that three doctors were absent from duty. He has recommended stern departmental action against them. One of them was a senior medical officer.

The minister also severely reprimanded 11 doctors for coming 15 to half an hour late to their duties.

Zira, however, evaded replies to assessment of the functioning of the civil hospital at Jalandhar. He only retorted 8220;I will be most happy if my senior colleague checks the functioning of hospital at my native place in Zira8221;Zira also ordered the civil surgeon to furnish a list of doctors at the civil hospital who were indulging in private practice. He said after the receipt of the report, action would be taken against the guilty and if any other doctor not mentioned in the report was found to be practicing outside, the civil surgeon would be held responsible.

Stating that the condition of civil hospitals in the state was not satisfactory, he said only one of the 40-odd hospitals he had conducted raids in was in proper shape. He blamed it on the laxity shown by the Health Department during past about 20 years as he said no health minister before him had conducted raids in the hospitals.