Delhi govt removes 26 health staffs over irregularities in attendance

Delhi government has removed 26 staff including seven doctors posted at different Mohall clinics over the complaint of irregularities in the attendance in the capital city. The health staffers include seven doctors, seven multi-tasking officers, six pharmacists and six clinic assistants posted at different Mohalla Clinics in the city.

Addressing a briefing on Wednesday, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said that these staffs including doctors have been de-empanelled for allegedly attempting to manipulate the attendance system and coming in late to the Mohalla Clinics.

“We got attendance records checked. The doctors and staffers have to be present in mohalla clinics from 8 am to 2 pm. It was found that the electronic attendance system was being manipulated. They would come in late but the system showed that they had come in by 8 am”, said Delhi Health Minister.

Mr Bhardwaj further said, “There were irregularities found at seven mohalla clinics — five in southwest district, one in northeast, and one in Shahdara. In all 26 staffers, including seven doctors, have been de-empanelled.” A total of 533 Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics are functional in Delhi at present.

On being asked about the Dengue situation, Mr Bhardwaj said the number of mosquito-breeding sites in the national capital has plateaued and announced that the authorities have been directed to run a city-wide awareness campaign.

“Last week, we held a meeting with officials of the MCD’s (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) health department. During that meeting, MCD (officials) shared data with us and it shows that the number of mosquito-breeding sites has reached a plateau,” health minister said.

“I have directed the health department and the chief secretary to run a wide campaign for dengue awareness as we approach peak season. The campaign has not been run this time,” he added.

However, the civic body has not released reports on dengue and other vector-borne diseases for the past several weeks. As per the last data issued by MCD on August 5, the national capital recorded 348 dengue cases.