Patna: The health department on Thursday removed Dr Narendra Pratap Singh from the additional charge of principal of Patna Medical College ospital (PMCH), two days after he was found absent during health minister Nishant Kumar’s visit to the state’s premier medical institution.In an order issued with immediate effect, the department transferred Singh as professor to Government Medical College, Bettiah, and assigned the additional charge of PMCH principal to Dr Geeta Sinha, professor in the department of gynaecology and obstetrics at Patna Medical College, until further orders. Officials said the arrangement was made to ensure uninterrupted administrative and academic functioning at Bihar’s largest govt medical institution.The action followed a departmental verification initiated after the minister’s visit. According to officials, the inquiry found that Singh was allegedly present at his private clinic during office hours when he was expected to be at PMCH. It was also found that a govt vehicle allotted to the department was parked outside the clinic.Officials said Singh had neither informed the department about his absence nor handed over charge to any senior official before leaving. The department viewed the matter as serious negligence in the discharge of official duties and alleged misuse of govt resources.Reacting to the development, Nishant said the department would continue taking steps to strengthen accountability, discipline and administrative efficiency in govt health institutions.“No negligence will be tolerated,” he said.The minister had visited PMCH on June 23 to attend a pre-planned programme and review various administrative and healthcare-related issues. On reaching the institution, he was informed that the principal was not available in his office. Departmental officials subsequently attempted to contact Singh over the phone, but he could not be reached, sources said.As a result, discussions on several important administrative and academic issues scheduled during the visit could not be held. The minister had expressed displeasure over the absence and indicated that responsibility would be fixed.During the same inspection, attendants of patients complained to Nishant that they were being forced to purchase medicines from outside the hospital and were allegedly being charged illegally for diagnostic tests. The minister assured them that complaints would be examined and strict action would be taken against anyone found involved in corrupt practices.
