Salary to Be Linked With Verified Presence
In a major administrative reform, the Karnataka Health Department has introduced a facial recognition-based attendance system for doctors working in government hospitals in Bengaluru. Under the new mechanism, salary disbursement will be directly linked to verified attendance records, calculated based on the actual number of days and hours a doctor is physically present on duty.
Strict Action for Repeated Violations
The department has made it clear that repeated violations of attendance norms will attract strict disciplinary as well as legal action. Officials have warned that irregular attendance patterns will no longer be tolerated under the revised monitoring framework.
Complaints Trigger Reform
The move follows repeated complaints regarding doctors arriving late, leaving early, or marking biometric attendance without remaining present in their assigned hospitals. Authorities also cited allegations that some doctors marked attendance and later visited private clinics or attended to personal engagements during official working hours.
Mobile App With GPS Tracking
According to reports, the new system will operate through a mobile-based facial screening application integrated with GPS tracking. The technology is designed to verify not only attendance but also the doctor’s physical presence within the designated hospital premises during duty hours.
Real-Time Location Monitoring
If a doctor leaves the defined hospital boundary without prior authorisation, the system will automatically flag the deviation. This feature aims to ensure that attendance marking is not misused and that doctors remain available for patient care throughout their scheduled shifts.
Ensuring Continuity of Patient Care
Health authorities emphasised that doctor availability is crucial, particularly in government hospitals where patient loads are high. At primary and secondary care levels, timely medical presence directly affects triage decisions, emergency management, inpatient rounds, and outpatient consultations.
Public Criticism Over Absenteeism
The reform comes amid sustained criticism from patients and civil society groups who have alleged delays in treatment due to the absence of doctors during working hours. In several instances, patients claimed they were unable to access timely medical attention in public health facilities.
Statewide Implementation Planned
The attendance system is expected to be rolled out across Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and major government hospitals across Karnataka. Officials believe the initiative will strengthen accountability, improve service delivery, and enhance trust in the state’s public healthcare system.
