Patients Come First: Punjab Health Minister Orders Action Against Erring Employee
- Contract employee who misbehaved with a patient at Mata Kaushalya Hospital suspended; one-month notice to be issued for termination of services
- Providing better services to patients is the top priority of the Bhagwant Mann Government
Patiala, April 2,
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh has made it clear that any kind of misbehaviour with patients in government hospitals will not be tolerated.
During a surprise visit to Government Mata Kaushalya Hospital today, the Health Minister ordered the immediate suspension of a contract employee who misbehaved with a patient at the OPD registration counter. He also directed that a one-month notice be issued to terminate the services of the concerned employee, Gurpreet Singh.
Dr. Balbir Singh said he was deeply pained after watching the viral video of the incident in which the employee broke the glass counter and allegedly pushed a female patient. He stated that such unruly behaviour cannot be accepted, as it could have caused serious injury not only to the patient but also to others present. He has ordered a departmental inquiry and strict action against the guilty employee.
While reviewing the functioning of the OPD registration counter, the Health Minister instructed SMO Dr. Vikas Goyal and Dr. Jaideep Bhatia to deploy additional staff so that patients do not have to wait long for registration slips.
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Dr. Balbir Singh emphasised that providing better healthcare services to the people is a top priority of the Mann Government. He directed all doctors and supporting staff to maintain a polite, patient-friendly and compassionate attitude. He said, “Patients come to hospitals in pain and distress. Even if a patient is agitated or speaks rudely due to illness, our staff must respond with calmness and empathy.”
The Health Minister praised the overall staff of Mata Kaushalya Hospital, saying that 99.9% of the doctors, nurses and employees are working with full dedication and honesty. However, the remaining 0.1% indulging in misconduct will be dealt with strictly.
He also warned that any hooliganism or misbehaviour by patients or their attendants will not be tolerated either, and police cases have already been registered in several such incidents.
Dr. Balbir Singh further informed that Mata Kaushalya Hospital is one of the best civil hospitals in Punjab, offering advanced facilities including ICU, Neonatal ICU, Paediatric ICU, and various DNB courses. Around 1,500 to 1,700 patients visit the hospital daily. He assured that efforts are being made to further improve services at the hospital.
