AI-based attendance system leads to dismissal of 72 doctors in Balochistan

QUETTA: The Balochistan Health Department on Saturday dismissed 72 doctors from government service for prolonged absence from duty.

The doctors were dismissed under an artificial intelligence (AI)-based attendance system introduced by the provincial government to ensure that medical staff reported for duty regularly.

According to an official notification issued by the Balochistan health secretary, the action was taken under Section 4(B)(viii) of the Balochistan Employees’ Efficiency and Disciplinary Act (BEEDA), 2011.

The notification said the medical officers (BPS-17) and senior medical officers (BPS-18) had been dismissed from service with immediate effect on account of their unauthorised absence from government duty.

The dismissal orders were issued with immediate effect, according to the notification.

The total number of employees dismissed from the Health Department has now reached 200.

Health Department officials said Rs410 million had so far been deducted from employees’ salaries over absenteeism.

The notification added that notices had been issued to 11,000 employees, seeking explanations for violations of attendance and disciplinary rules.

“Departmental action is under way against another 800 employees,” it said.

In a statement, Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar said the doctors had repeatedly been issued notices directing them to report for duty, but they had failed to respond.

Their continued absence from duty and failure to respond to repeated notices had compelled the government to take action, he added.

“We have zero tolerance for absenteeism and negligence among medical staff and doctors in the performance of their official duties,” Kakar said, adding that the Health Department was making efforts to provide people with the best possible healthcare facilities at their doorsteps.

He said reforms were under way to improve the performance of the provincial Health Department on the instructions of Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti.

He added that staff attendance at government hospitals and health centres was being monitored through an AI-based attendance system.