Patna: District magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal on Monday expressed disappointment with the work culture of health officials and issued some strict instructions.

At a review meeting, Agarwal came to know that around 50 per cent of cataract patients were returned without surgery from the Rajendra Nagar Super Speciality Eye Hospital in the past month. "These patients were referred to the hospital from different primary health centres in Patna," Agarwal said. "But the doctors returned them without surgery. It is very sad that such things are happening."

At the meeting itself, he issued explanatory notices to Rajendra Nagar Super Speciality Eye Hospital superintendent Naresh Kumar Bhimsaraiya. He also came to know that Dr Vivek, a retina expert responsible for operating on cataract patients, does not take interest in it. "I've been informed that Dr Vivek does not operate on poor people. I have asked for a detailed report on surgeries he has conducted in the past year,"Agarwal said.

A decision was also taken to install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras inside and outside the hospital and check recording every week.

"Strict action will be taken against doctors not doing their duty honestly. Even the duty roster will be checked to see if doctors and others are arriving on time," Agarwal said.

The DM also gave a piece of mind to Patna civil surgeon G.S. Singh, for not recommending any action against Sriniwas Sharma, a doctor at a primary health centre in Masaurhi, who was caught drunk. He issued orders to relieve Sharmafrom headquarters and suspend him. He issued explanatory notices to child development project officers of Punpun and Masaurhi for admitting less number of children in Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), a health facility to look after children with severe acute malnutrition.

The DM also issued orders to install CCTVs in all NRCs in Patna district and continuous fogging to prevent the spread of dengue.