UP cracks whip on quacks

Lucknow, May 26 (UNI) The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a campaign against quacks and doctors of government hospitals who indulge in private practice or remain absent from duty.

State Health Minister (Independent) Anant Kumar Mishra today in a review meeting directed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS) and Divisional Director to ensure that benefits of the government medical facilities reach the poor and under privileged.

He said any laxity will not go unpunished and immediate action be taken against quacks and those remaining absent from duty.

Stressing on the eradication of deadly diseases like Japanese Encephalitis (JE), which claims many lives every year in eastern UP, he said vaccination should be implemented more effectively.

He said every month 1,400 doctors will be inducted to fill the vacancies with a stipend of Rs 18,000 and added that the salaries of earlier appointees will be hiked and levelled to that of the new practitioners.

Not only of doctors but the salaries of other staff, including those of technical department, will also be hiked, he added.

UNI