The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also issued a similar nationwide directive on Friday, 9 May, cancelling all leave for its officers, including those at the AIIMS in Delhi.
Published May 10, 2025 | 4:34 PM ⚊ Updated May 10, 2025 | 4:34 PM
Shivamogga to Be Developed as Health Hub for Malnad Region(Representational image)
Synopsis: Amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions post-Operation Sindoor, Telangana and several other states, along with the Union Health Ministry, have cancelled all medical staff leave to ensure emergency preparedness. Hospitals must maintain essential medicine stock and readiness. Similar directives have been issued in Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand, signaling a nationwide alert across health infrastructure.
With tensions escalating between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, the Telangana government has moved swiftly to bolster its emergency preparedness by suspending all forms of leave for medical personnel across the state.
The directive, issued by the Directorate of Medical Education (DME) on Thursday, 8 May, mandates that all directors, principals, and hospital superintendents ensure full staff availability at medical institutions under its jurisdiction.
The DME’s order emphasizes the need for round-the-clock readiness amid the “war-like situation” and requires medical institutions to maintain adequate stocks of essential medicines listed under the Essential Medicines List (EML) and Approved Medicines List (AML) by the Telangana State Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation (TGMSIDC).
Superintendents have been asked to submit urgent reports on any additional drug requirements to the DME.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had directed all state employees, ministers, and officials to remain available for service and cancel any foreign travel plans, underscoring the state’s high-alert posture.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare also issued a similar nationwide directive on Friday, 9 May, cancelling all leave for its officers, including those at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.
A circular from the Ministry stated that “no leave of any kind, including station leave, is to be granted to any officer except on medical grounds” until further notice. Officers already on leave have been instructed to resume duties immediately.
While the Ministry did not elaborate on the “impending situation” mentioned in its circular, the urgency of the orders has prompted speculation about broader preparedness efforts across India’s health infrastructure.
Several other states have followed suit:
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
