The authorities on February 6 ordered strict action against 11 doctors and 44 paramedical staff for remaining absent unauthorizedly from duty in District Hospital Shopian in south Kashmir.

An official spokesperson said that in order to take stock of health care facilities being provided to patients, Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Dr Owais Ahmed paid a surprise visit to District Hospital Shopian. “Apart from inspecting various sections of the hospital, the Deputy Commissioner interacted with patients and enquired about the facilities being provided to them,” he said.

The Deputy Commissioner exhorted upon the hospital administration to ensure proper arrangements for the patients including the provision of beds, proper heating arrangements, sanitation of wards and corridors and other health care facilities.

The Deputy Commissioner enjoined upon the entire medical/ paramedical staff to serve the patients with utmost dedication and sincerity so that patients be made to feel comfortable while receiving treatment. He also reiterated that district administration is committed to provide requisite quality health care facilities to the people.

Meanwhile, acting tough on the absentee medicos Deputy Commissioner ordered immediate action against 11 doctors and 44 para-medicos for remaining unauthorizedly absent/ on strike. The Deputy Commissioner warned that there will be zero tolerance against the dereliction of duties by employees. Later on, the Deputy Commissioner took stock of ongoing construction works and directed the concerned executing agency to gear up the pace of work to complete it within stipulated time frame.