Civil surgeons warned against involvement of unauthorised persons in health facilities’ functioning in Punjab

Chandigarh: Taking serious note of a case of interference in the operations of health facilities by some unauthorised individuals, the Punjab health department on Friday issued a directive to civil surgeons asking them to ensure that the functioning of health facilities remained free from involvement of any unauthorised person.

The directive follows a complaint in which it was alleged that the driver of a medical officer at Tarn Taran civil hospital attended patients. The driver was also accused of fleecing the patients by recommending tests from a particular lab.

In a communication issued to the civil surgeons on Friday, the director, health services, emphasised the importance of maintaining the integrity of administrative and clinical operations within health facilities.

The civil surgeons were informed that involvement of any unauthorised individuals in the functioning of health centres was against the norms and officials were warned that any instance of such unauthorised interference coming to light would result in appropriate action.

The civil surgeons have also been instructed to ensure complete exclusion of unauthorised individuals from the operational processes of health facilities under their respective jurisdictions. They have been given a timeframe of two days to submit an undertaking affirming that no unauthorised individuals are involved in either the clinical or administrative operations.

Dr Adarshpal Kaur, director, health services, said instructions had been issued on the basis of a complaint pertaining to Tarn Taran. “No such activity will be allowed. A warning has been issued to all the civil surgeons. Strict action will be taken against those who fail to comply,” said Dr Adarshpal. She also said the complaint related to Tarn Taran civil hospital was being probed.