Bhubaneswar: Dr Pankaj Kumar Patel, the Sundargrh Chief District Medical Officer (CDMO), who was suspended for negligence in duty and lapses in implementation of “Mo Sarkar”, has been reinstated and posted as senior consultant (Medicine) in Sambalpur District Headquarters Hospital (DHH).
The Health and Family Welfare Department has issued an order to this effect. His suspension had evoked strong reactions from people, medicos and opposition parties.
“Dr Pankaj Kumar Patel, AD-II, senior consultant (Medicine) Ex-I/C CDM and PHO, Sundargarh, who was placed under suspension vide Health and FW Department Order No.25392/H dated 13.10.2019 is hereby reinstated in service and posted as Senior Consultant (Medicine), AD-Level, DHH Sambalpur with immediate effect pending drawl of disciplinary proceedings drawn up against him,” the order reads.
Notably, on October 13, a three-member team from Bhubaneswar led by 5T Secretary V Karthikeyan Pandian had visited to the Sundargarh DHH. During the visit some patients’ attendants complained that cooked food was not served to the patients. The State Government had promptly suspended CDMO Patel and served show cause notice on district Collector Nikhil Pavan Kalyan for non-implementation of “Mo Sarkar” initiatives.
However, the suspension of the CDMO evoked strong reactions from different quarters with opposition BJP resorted to Sundargarh bandh demanding revocation of the suspension.
Sundargarh MLA Kusum Tete also wrote to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding withdrawal of the suspension arguing that Patel was working diligently and performing his duty against all odds.
