Doctor, nurse, and support staff found missing during surprise inspection; Show cause notice issued to Block Medical Officer
Chennai: In a stern move to enforce accountability in public healthcare services, the Tamil Nadu Health Department has suspended the duty doctor, nurse, and other staff at the Upgraded Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Melvisharam, Ranipet district, after they were found absent during official working hours.
The action follows a surprise inspection conducted by State Health Minister Ma. Subramanian early Wednesday morning. Arriving at the PHC at 8 a.m.—the scheduled opening hour—the minister discovered that no medical personnel were present, even though patients, including a pregnant woman, were already waiting for care.
The PHC is mandated to operate from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on all days except Sundays. The absence of critical medical staff prompted immediate departmental action. “A preliminary inquiry was conducted, and the staff members were suspended for dereliction of duty,” the Health Department confirmed.
Additionally, a show cause notice has been issued to the Arcot Block Medical Officer (BMO), who is responsible for overseeing PHC operations, ensuring staff attendance, and maintaining healthcare delivery standards. The notice was served by the Deputy Director of Health Services (DDHS), who is now overseeing a detailed investigation into the matter.
This is not the first such incident. In an earlier surprise visit to the UPHC in Thisayanvilai, Tirunelveli, Minister Subramanian had expressed shock at the near-total absence of staff—finding only a Siddha doctor and a nurse on duty. Similar disciplinary action was ordered in that case as well.
The Health Minister has reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening public healthcare and warned of strict measures against staff negligence across the state.
