No Leave for Doctors Until Japanese Encephalitis Threat Over: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati, July 6, 2019:

The Assam Government has introduced a set of new initiatives to curb the Japanese Encephalitis outbreak in the State of Assam. Amid the 'high-alert' situation in the state over the disease outbreak, the administration is putting the leaves of all doctors and para-medical staff on hold due to the grave danger posed by the deadly disease in the State.

The Assam Government has announced that leaves for all doctors and para medical staff including surveillance workers will be kept on hold and any kind of emergency leave will be granted only with the prior approval of the Deputy Commissioner of the District. Unauthorised absence from the place of posting even after duty hours will be treated seriously amounting to criminal dereliction of duty.

This was reiterated by Finance Minister Himanta Sarma during a presser held on Saturday. "Doctors, paramedical staff and all health officials will not be able to avail any leaves till September 30, including casual leaves. They will also not be allowed to serve from a different place than their place of posting. It be considered as criminal dereliction of duty. Casual leave will be availed in some special reason like deaths. Deputy commissioner of respective districts is authorised to grant the leave till September 30,” said Sarma.

"The department will take strict action against the doctors, nurses and other health workers who are not found stationed at their place of posting," he added.

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