Patiala health centre sans doctor for more than 1 year
Karam Prakash
Patiala, August 5
A government health centre here has been functioning without a doctor for more than a year — a situation that stares in the face of the AAP government which came to power promising, among other things, better healthcare facilities.
The health centre is situated at the Badungar area, which is prone to infectious diseases, especially dengue.
A senior medical officer said, “Every year, numerous dengue cases are reported at Badungar, which is a high-risk area. It is difficult to manage the health centre without a regular doctor.”
2 ANMs, 1 nurse managing affairs
- The health centre is situated at the Badungar area, which is prone to infectious diseases, especially dengue
- It has a sanctioned strength of one medical officer. Sources say the officer was sent on deputation to another department
- At present, two Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANMs) and one staff nurse are posted there
The health centre has a sanctioned strength of one medical officer. Sources say the officer was sent on deputation to another department long ago, raising several questions.
At present, two Auxiliary Nursing Midwives (ANMs) and one staff nurse are posted there. Ajoy Sharma, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, had on May 7 issued an order to immediately cancel all deputation postings of medical officers (general and specialist).
The matter was brought to the notice of the Patiala Civil Surgeon in May. To date, no headway has been made.
When contacted, Civil Surgeon Dr Raju Dhir said: “The department has already written to the chest and TB hospital to relieve the doctor, who is on deputation there. Even the senior authorities have been apprised of the matter.”
