Patna civil surgeon Lakhendra Prasad got a taste of the bitter reality of health services in the state during a surprise visit to Rajendra Nagar Hospital on Thursday morning.

Seven of 31 employees of the hospital, which was recently upgraded into a super-speciality one for eye, were found absent during duty hours.

“According to the recent guidelines of principal secretary, health, Vyasji, we will showcause all seven found absent and also deduct a day’s salary from them,” said Prasad.

On reaching the hospital at 9.30am, Prasad found gynaecologist S.K. Saroj, pharmacist Dinesh Kumar and ward attendants Vaijyanti Devi and Gita Devi absent among others.

“The hospital employees are supposed to report for duty by 8am. But they are given relief and allowed to come by 9am. If any employee is unwell or has urgent work, he/she can give a leave application or at least inform the administration. The norm is often flouted. Violators have to pay for it,” said Prasad.

He told The Telegraph that the employees did not exercise either option.

Prasad said: “On Wednesday, I made a surprise visit to the primary health centre in Maner, where I found the hospital in-charge absent.

“When he was contacted later, he cited low blood pressure as excuse for absence. It is obvious that absentees would make excuses but we won’t leave them easily. They would have to face action as per the rules.”

The civil surgeon said Vyasji sent a letter to all district civil surgeons last week, directing them to take strong action against hospital employees found absent during surprise inspection.

“The letter states that 136 doctors were found absent during surprise inspection across the state in February. The problem was acute in Patna, Nalanda, Purnea and Sheikhpura districts, where doctors were found absent for three or more days in a row. Thirty doctors were found absent from duty in Patna district, 22 in Sheikhpura, 20 in Nalanda and 13 in Purnea,” said Prasad.