Health Department to crack down on absentee doctors with digital tracking measures

The Health Department is taking decisive steps to address allegations of absenteeism and misconduct among doctors in government hospitals. Reports have surfaced about doctors clocking in at hospitals but leaving to attend to personal work or private practice, leaving patients and facilities underserved. In response, the department is rolling out a robust digital monitoring system to ensure accountability.

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Under the new initiative, a facial recognition attendance app will be introduced for government doctors. The app, combined with GPS tracking, will monitor their presence and movement during duty hours. If a doctor leaves the designated hospital premises or reports late, the system will immediately flag the violation.

The move comes amid growing public complaints about delayed services and staff shortages in state-run hospitals, including in Bengaluru. Allegations that some medical professionals use government facilities merely to "punch in" before heading elsewhere have prompted urgent action.

Health officials describe this initiative as a "surgical strike" on misconduct. The technology aims to ensure that doctors remain at their assigned posts, providing the care they are paid to deliver. Speaking to NewsFirst, the Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao emphasized that any violations detected by the system would lead to strict legal action against erring doctors.

This digital overhaul is part of a broader strategy to restore trust and efficiency in government hospitals, ensuring that healthcare services reach those who rely on them most.