Mobile phone to Bihar docs to track their whereabouts

London Dec 20: To cut down doctors truancy, Bihar govt has decided to give free mobile phone services to them. This is know the whereabouts about the govt-paid doctors who neglect state work by performing private practice.

The basic aim behind the plan is to keep in touch with the doctors at all times. Their movements will be tracked by a system. The doctors have been given strict instruction to keep their mobile phones on permanently, even if not on duty.

"Through their mobile connections we''ll be able to get in touch with them everywhere, anywhere. It will certainly help to improve the functioning of the govt hospitals in the state," State Health Minister Nand Kishore Yadav told the BBC.

An agreement between State Health Department and Indian govt mobile provider BSNL for the required connections. About 800 connections have been given. According to the plan, doctors will have unlimited talk time among themselves but there will be a bar on making outside calls.
"We will know where the doctor is serving - at his place of posting or doing private practice. In this case we''ll be able to take stern action," Yadav said.

ANI