Thiruvananthapuram: The Health Department of Kerala has terminated 51 doctors employed in government hospitals for prolonged unauthorised absence from duty. In a press statement issued on Wednesday, Health Minister Veena George said that the department took action against those who were not willing to rejoin service despite being given multiple opportunities.

Earlier, the minister had strictly directed the department to identify employees on long unauthorised leave and take disciplinary action against them.

In the statement, the minister pointed out that failing to act against such employees would deny opportunities to service-minded and qualified candidates who are waiting for appointment orders.

In January this year, the government had initiated proceedings to dismiss nearly 2,000 government hospital employees, including 1,194 doctors, for unauthorised absence from work. The list includes 859 doctors from various healthcare facilities, ranging from Primary Health Centres to District and General Hospitals under the Directorate of Health Services (DHS). As many as 252 nurses employed at these hospitals are also set to be dismissed for similar reasons.