The Director of Abia State Hospital Management Board (HMB), Dr. Christopher Aharauka has threatened that his office will punish any doctor employed in Abia State government-owned hospitals, who absconds from their duty posts.
This is even as he warned that any medical doctor working under the control of the HMB who issues fake or questionable medical reports would be penalised by his office.
Aharauka gave the warning in Umuahia during a meeting he held with medical doctors in charge of State government-owned general hospitals.
He directed that comprehensive list of all medical doctors who allegedly absconded from duty should be brought to his attention while those who allegedly engaged in jobs elsewhere, while still in the employment list of the Abia State government, should also be exposed for appropriate disciplinary actions.
The HMB boss further directed that all funds realised by the hospitals should be remitted to the headquarters of Hospital Management Board in Umuahia on weekly basis, to ensure accountability.
He advised the doctors to monitor the staff under them, to checkmate truancy and absenteeism among the staff, while warning that any medical head who tolerates misbehaviour of his staff would have himself to blame.
“Henceforth, HMB management would embark on unscheduled visits to various hospitals for strict monitoring, followed by disciplinary measures on defaulters”, said Dr. Aharauka.
He stated that relevant civil service rules would be applied in penalising any defaulting doctor or other erring staff, while commending Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for paying the salaries of the staff workers under the HMB.
Reacting to the warnings on behalf of his colleagues, Dr. B.C. Onyemachi of General Hospital, Ikwuano, Ikwuano LGA, promised the commitment of the the doctors in their service and their loyalty to the State government.
