ANDHRA PRADESH / KERALA – State administrations have moved to purge their public health systems of physicians marked by prolonged, unauthorized absences. In actions spanning recent months, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have collectively dismissed hundreds of doctors from government service. The underlying theme is clear: extended dereliction of duty, especially in sectors already stretched thin, will no longer be countenanced.
The core of these dismissals revolves around doctors remaining away from their posts for extended periods—often exceeding a year—without proper leave or explanation. This has triggered disciplinary proceedings, leading to termination orders in numerous cases. While some errant physicians were afforded opportunities to justify their absence, a significant number failed to respond or offer satisfactory reasons, prompting final dismissals.
Andhra Pradesh: A Sweeping Cut
In Andhra Pradesh, recent weeks have seen substantial dismissals. Figures indicate that 55 doctors were formally ejected from service following final orders issued on November 24, 2023. This follows a report by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) submitted on May 8, 2024, which identified these assistant professors and associate professors as having been absent for over a year without sanction, contravening specific provisions of the AP Leave Rules 1993. Their prolonged absence was, by government order, treated as a deemed resignation.
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Another report from February 21, 2025, indicated that 78 government doctors were terminated for similar reasons. Prior to this, on December 17, 2025, Andhra Pradesh was reported to be initiating action to terminate 62 absentee doctors.
The state's Health Minister, Satya Kumar Yadav, has publicly warned that doctors absent for over a year without proper authorization face termination. He has alleged that significant numbers of doctors were unofficially absent for two to four years during the previous administration, a situation he claims severely impacted healthcare delivery.
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Kerala: A Parallel Purge
Meanwhile, Kerala has also undertaken significant disciplinary action. As of August 6, 2025, the Health Department there had terminated 51 doctors from government hospitals due to extended unauthorized absence. This move aligns with directives from the Health Minister, Veena George, who had pushed for the identification and disciplinary action against long-absent employees.
A statement from the Minister indicated that action was taken against those unwilling to return to service despite repeated opportunities. Earlier in January 2025, proceedings were initiated to dismiss nearly 2,000 government hospital employees, including 1,194 doctors, for similar absentee offenses. The scope of this earlier initiative included 859 doctors across various healthcare tiers, from Primary Health Centres to district and general hospitals under the Directorate of Health Services.
Procedural Undercurrents
The dismissals are not arbitrary. In Andhra Pradesh, for instance, some doctors who provided explanations were reportedly reassigned pending further disciplinary action under the APCS (CC&A) Rules 1991. Final dismissal orders were issued after doctors failed to reply to official communications. The Upa Lokayukta was reportedly involved, with complaints being addressed and closed upon finding that due process was followed and grievances were redressed. This underscores a procedural framework wherein individuals are notified, given chances to respond, and actions are taken based on their compliance or lack thereof.
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The underlying rationale for these stringent measures appears to be the need to ensure uninterrupted public healthcare services and to hold public servants accountable for their duties. The specter of unfilled positions and the disruption of patient care are implicit drivers behind these widespread terminations.
