Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has terminated from service 432 medical personnel, including 385 doctors, who were on unauthorised leave for years, Health Minister K K Shailaja saidon Saturday.
Despite being given several opportunities, these employees had not shown any inclination to join duty following which it was decided to dismiss them, the minister said in a press release.
Directions had been issued to the health department to identifysuch staff who have kept away from work for years and take strict disciplinary action against them.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this is the time that the services of the doctors and otherhealth staff were needed most.
It was due to this reason that the government decided to takestern action against such personnel, she said.
Earlier, 36 doctors, who had not been attending duty, had been dismissed from service.
Besides doctors, 20 nurses and five health inspectors are among those who have been removed from service.
Subscribe to our channels on YouTube & Telegram
Why news media is in crisis & How you can fix it
India needs free, fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism even more as it faces multiple crises.
But the news media is in a crisis of its own. There have been brutal layoffs and pay-cuts. The best of journalism is shrinking, yielding to crude prime-time spectacle.
ThePrint has the finest young reporters, columnists and editors working for it. Sustaining journalism of this quality needs smart and thinking people like you to pay for it. Whether you live in India or overseas, you can do it here.