Display of doctors’ rosters made mandatory in Kashmir hospitals

Srinagar: The Directorate of Health Services Kashmir has issued a fresh circular directing all District Hospitals and other healthcare institutions across the Kashmir Division to ensure the mandatory display of daily rosters of doctors on duty for improved transparency, accountability, and smooth functioning of services.

According to the circular, signed by the Director of Health Services Kashmir and issued on Saturday, all Chief Medical Officers, Medical Superintendents, and Block Medical Officers have been instructed to strictly comply with the new guidelines.

The Directorate has stressed that the daily duty roster must include specialists, medical officers, casualty or emergency duty officers, and doctors assigned duty under leave arrangements.

The circular specifies that the rosters must be updated every day and displayed prominently at key locations within the hospital premises. These include the main entrance or reception area, the OPD block, the emergency or casualty section, and the official hospital website or online portals wherever available. Officials have been asked to ensure that the displayed roster clearly indicates the name, designation, department, duty hours or shift, and contact or extension numbers of each doctor.

The Directorate has further held the Medical Superintendents personally responsible for ensuring accuracy and timely updating of the rosters. It has warned that any non-compliance with the instructions will be taken seriously and may lead to disciplinary action as per rules.

The order has been forwarded to the Secretary of the H&ME Department and concerned medical officers for immediate implementation and necessary action. The directions have come into force with immediate effect. [KNT]