CMO Kupwara Attaches 14 Truant Employees to Far-Flung Areas – Alfaaz – The Words

Jahangir Lolabi

Kupwara: Chief Medical Officer Kupwara, Dr. Masrat Iqbal Wani, took strict action against 14 employees found unauthorizedly absent during a surprise inspection of various health facilities across the district.

The action follows after CMO toured several health centres on August 4, 2025, and discovered the absence of doctors, paramedical staff, and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) without prior authorization. Taking immediate action, Dr. Wani attached the absentee staff to health institutions in remote and far-flung areas of the district to ensure accountability and uninterrupted healthcare services.

“The following employees were found unauthorizedly absent during the visit of undersigned to the different health facilities of the District. The absent staff is hereby attached to the following facilities shown against each with immediate effect,” reads an order in this regard.

Among the absentees were medical officers Dr. Tufail and Dr. Shaista from PHC Unisoo, who were attached to BMO Tangdar. Similarly, staff like Dr. Sidra Yaqoob (MLHP), Manzoor Ahmad Sheikh (MTS), and Reyaz Ahmad Peerzada (MMPHW) have been reassigned to hard-to-reach areas like PHC Dudi Machil, S/C Pushwari, and S/C Dappal respectively.

“All concerned Block Medical Officers shall share the compliance report of this order regarding the joining of the staff at the attached places by tomorrow 4 PM positively. The absenteeism staff if failed to join at the attached locations shall be liable for disciplinary action as warranted under rules.”

The CMO has also instructed the concerned BMO officers to ensure the smooth functioning of the said health facilities and submit a compliance report without delay.

The action is seen as part of a broader push by the health department to strengthen attendance discipline, especially in rural and underserved areas where health services are often disrupted due to staff absenteeism.

This firm step has been widely appreciated by local residents, who have long demanded regular presence of health personnel at government health centers in remote villages.