Patna, June 25 (IANS) The Bihar Health Department has removed the Principal of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) after he was found absent during an inspection conducted by Health Minister Nishant Kumar.

Narendra Pratap Singh has been relieved of his post as Principal of PMCH after he reportedly went absent from duty without prior leave during the minister’s visit to the hospital on June 23.

The state government has appointed Geeta Sinha as the new Principal of PMCH, replacing Singh.

According to an official, the incident occurred during the Health Minister’s inspection of PMCH on June 23, when the principal was found absent. Sources indicated that repeated attempts to contact Singh by phone during the inspection were unsuccessful. It was also reported that he had neither applied for leave nor officially handed over charge to another officer.

The absence prompted the department to initiate disciplinary action.

Responding to the action taken against him, Singh stated that he had been unable to attend duty due to health reasons. He said he had met with an accident prior to the minister’s visit, which prevented him from reaching the hospital.

He argued that the departmental action was taken without giving him an opportunity to present his explanation and maintained that he should have been heard before any disciplinary action was initiated.

The action against the PMCH principal comes amid the Bihar government’s emphasis on improving the functioning of government hospitals and strengthening accountability in the health sector.

PMCH, one of Bihar’s largest government medical institutions, has been under continuous administrative scrutiny as the state government seeks to improve healthcare services and infrastructure.

The Health Department has not yet publicly commented on whether any further departmental proceedings will be initiated in the matter.

–IANS

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