Gujarat health dept cancels all leave of medical staff over emergency preparedness

In light of an emerging emergency situation across the state and the country, the Gujarat Health Department has cancelled all sanctioned leave—personal, sick, or vacation—for medical and paramedical staff with immediate effect, as per a directive issued by Additional Director (medical education and research) Dr Neelam Patel. 

The circular, dated May 6, instructs all medical, paramedical and associated personnel under the Health and Medical Services Department to report back for duty at their respective headquarters without delay. The directive follows a broader instruction from the Health and Family Welfare Department of the Gujarat Secretariat, issued on May 9.

“In view of the ongoing emergency and the critical need to ensure uninterrupted health services, all types of leave granted to medical and support staff are hereby cancelled with immediate effect,” the notice states. “Personnel who have already left their headquarters are directed to return and resume duties without delay, while those yet to leave must remain at their stations.”

The circular further emphasises that no staff member is to leave the headquarters without prior written approval from the departmental head. Districts and municipal corporations are instructed to promptly report any local health emergencies to the state-level authorities.

The directive has been circulated to all Divisional Deputy Directors, Chief District Health Officers, and Municipal Health Officers, with copies forwarded to senior government officials including the Principal Secretary (Health), Commissioners of Urban and Rural Medical Services, Collectors, and District Development Officers.

The move is seen as a proactive measure to maintain full operational capacity within the state’s healthcare system, amid rising concerns over public health conditions.