India, May 8 -- LUCKNOW UP deputy chief minister and health minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday ordered strict action against several health officials, including dismissal of five doctors from service, over alleged negligence, dereliction of duty and irregularities in the health department.

According to an official statement issued by his office, five medical officers were dismissed for remaining absent from duty for a prolonged period without information and for staying away from medical work. The five doctors were last posted in various districts including Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Balrampur and Auraiyya.

The government also ordered departmental disciplinary proceedings against 16 medical officers, including a CMO and a deputy CMO, over al...