Minister Orders Performance Audit of Healthcare Providers

Satya Kumar Yadav, the Minister for Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education, has initiated a performance audit of doctors across various healthcare facilities. The directive follows numerous complaints regarding doctor absenteeism and inadequate patient care, particularly in teaching hospitals, district hospitals, and community health centres.

During a review meeting held on March 18, 2024, at the Secretariat, Yadav emphasized the need for an evaluation of daily patient attendance by doctors. He expressed concern that many health professionals were reportedly not present in their assigned facilities. The Minister has mandated that senior health officials closely monitor the number of outpatients each doctor attends each day and submit detailed reports on their findings.

In addressing these issues, Yadav has called for strict disciplinary measures against doctors and paramedical staff found negligent in fulfilling their responsibilities. He stated, “While it is important to recognize those who provide exemplary medical services, there will be no leniency for those who fail to meet their duties.” This approach aims to promote accountability and enhance the quality of healthcare services.

The Minister also highlighted the unsatisfactory performance of administrators in teaching hospitals, directing officials to assess their effectiveness. He requested an examination of the job responsibilities of superintendents and other key positions to ensure that they are fulfilling their roles appropriately.

Yadav expressed particular concern regarding the reporting of cancer treatments administered in private hospitals. He noted that this necessary information is not being accurately documented in the notifiable registry, which is a critical aspect of public health monitoring. He instructed health officials to take immediate action to rectify this reporting issue.

Present at the meeting were Saurabh Gaur, Principal Secretary, and Chakradhar Babu, Director of Secondary Health. Their participation underscores the government’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring that medical professionals adhere to their duties.

As the Minister pushes for these audits and evaluations, the focus remains on enhancing patient care and ensuring that healthcare providers are held accountable for their performance. The outcome of these initiatives may significantly impact the quality of medical services available to the public.