AP Health Minister has ordered action against doctors and staff for absenteeism

Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Monday (September 21, 2026) directed officials to take action against doctors and staff of the department who have been absent from their duties for a long time.

The minister, who attended the review meeting at the APIIC building in Mangalagiri, said that employees should obtain certificates from government doctors for sickness and required leave and that medical certificates and recommendations issued by private doctors will not be accepted.

The minister issued the instructions after being told that staff shortages were causing undue delays in the disposal of files. According to a ministry statement, since the TDP-led NDA government came to power, 4,410 matters have been brought before the minister, most of them related to transfers. Of these, only 40% of the files were disposed of.

The minister said that if the delay is due to the individual’s inaction, an explanation should be obtained from her and appropriate disciplinary proceedings should be initiated against her. The minister further said that the file should not remain pending at any level for more than two days. During the meeting, it was decided that a dashboard should be created to monitor the status of the files.

After being informed that 493 doctors were still absent from duty without authorization, the minister directed officials to take appropriate action against all within a maximum period of three months.

Chief Secretary G. Veerapandian, Joint Secretary Ronanki Gopalakrishna, Drug Control Authority Director General Arun Babu and others attended the review meeting.

Published – 21 Sep 2026 23:17 IST