Commission asks Health Department to decide the government doctor’s long-pending leave application within one month and take prompt steps to clear salary and service benefits pending since October 2024
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed the state Health Department to take a decision within one month on the long-pending leave application of a government doctor and initiate immediate steps to release his unpaid salary and other service benefits due since October 2024.
The direction was issued by Commission member V Geetha to the Director of Health Services and the District Medical Officer, Ernakulam, following a complaint filed by a senior consultant at Ernakulam General Hospital.
The doctor, who has nearly three decades of government service, approached the Commission after his leave application remained unresolved and his salary was withheld. He had sought leave citing health-related reasons.
Leave Application Referred to Medical Board
During the proceedings, the Director of Health Services informed the Commission that the doctor had been on leave since joining Ernakulam General Hospital.
His leave application was subsequently referred to a medical board for assessment. The Health Department submitted that his salary could not be released while the medical board’s decision was pending.
The doctor, however, submitted that the delay had also affected his access to healthcare benefits under the state government’s Medi-Sep health insurance scheme because the required contribution had not been remitted.
Doctor Subsequently Appeared Before Medical Board
The Commission was informed that the doctor subsequently appeared before the medical board after being directed to do so by the Superintendent of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.
Taking note of this development, the Commission observed that the issue that had prevented further processing of the leave application had been addressed.
The Commission therefore directed the authorities to take a decision on the pending leave application within one month.
Directions on Pending Salary and Service Benefits
In addition to the leave application, the Commission called for prompt action regarding the doctor’s unpaid salary and other service benefits that have remained pending since October 2024.
The authorities have been directed to complete the required process within the stipulated period.
The Commission also stated that the complainant would be entitled to approach it again if the directions are not acted upon within the prescribed timeframe.
Important Highlights
- The Kerala State Human Rights Commission directed the Health Department to decide a government doctor’s pending leave application within one month.
- The doctor has nearly three decades of government service and had sought leave citing health-related reasons.
- His leave application had been referred to a medical board for assessment.
- The Commission was informed that the doctor subsequently appeared before the medical board.
- Authorities have also been directed to take prompt steps regarding unpaid salary and other service benefits pending since October 2024.
- The doctor had also raised concerns about the impact of the delay on his Medi-Sep health insurance benefits.
