{
  "id": 9085903,
  "title": "A.P. Health Minister orders action against doctors and staff for remaining absent from duties",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/a-p-health-minister-orders-action-against-doctors-and-staff-for",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-09-22T05:05:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu Health",
    "slug": "the-hindu-health",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/ap-health-minister-orders-action-against-doctors-and-staff-for-remaining-absent-from-duties/article71492677.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav ordered officials to take disciplinary action against doctors and department staff who have been absent from their duties for an extended period, according to a September 21, 2026 report. At a review meeting in Mangalagiri, the Minister emphasized that employees must obtain government doctor certification for illness and required leave, rejecting medical certificates from private practitioners. The shortage of staff led to significant delays in processing files, with only 40% of the 4,410 cases brought to the Minister's attention being resolved. In cases of individual inaction, the Minister stated that an explanation should be sought and disciplinary action taken if necessary. The Minister stressed that no file should remain pending for more than two days. A dashboard to monitor file status will be developed, and the Minister ordered the resolution of 493 unauthorized absences within three months. Officials present included Principal Secretary G. Veerapandian, Joint Secretary Ronanki Gopalakrishna, and Drug Control Administration Director General Arun Babu.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Health Minister orders disciplinary action against absent doctors and staff",
    "Government doctor certification required for illness and leave",
    "493 unauthorized absences to be resolved within three months"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The health minister's directive signals a stricter approach to employee accountability, aiming to improve responsiveness and efficiency in handling patient cases by enforcing attendance and leave policies.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}