Shortage of specialist doctors irks people

Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, July 19: The shortage of specialist doctors at Community Health Centre (CHC) Gandoh has irked the people.
As per reports, non-availability of specialist doctors like Pedestrian, Gynaecologist, Physician  Surgeon, etc in CHC Gandoh has affected around 1 lakh people residing in Sub Division Gandoh.
Around 7 posts of MO stands sanctioned for this CHC, but none of them are available, which has affected the patient care very badly.
The locals residing in Sub Division Gandoh and other parts of the Sub Division said that due to the shortage of the specialist doctors in this CHC, they are forced to visit Doda, Kishtwar or Jammu hospitals for specialized treatment, thereby making them suffer immensely. “For a minor surgery, we have to visit Doda, Kishtwar or Jammu hospitals due to shortage of specialist doctors in CHC Gandoh”, they added.
Hundreds of patient visit this CHC for treatment everyday and they have to wait for hours for their turn as only 3 doctors and 1 dental surgeon are available in this centre for treating the patients.
“This is the height of official apathy and indifferent attitude of the authorities towards the people of Sub Division Gandoh as only few doctors are available in CHC”, said Satish Kumar, who was accompanying his ailing sister to CHC Gandoh.
This 17-beded CHC lacks availability of specialist doctors, which speaks volumes about the insensitive attitude of the authorities towards the woes and miseries of the people residing in Gandoh and Bhallesa, he added.
“Due to non-availability of requisite number specialist doctors in this CHC, we have been forced to visit private clinics for treatment”, the locals said, adding that the Government has failed to post a requisite number of specialist doctors in this hospital, which cater the medical needs of thousands of people. Apart from this, no ambulance is available in CHC Gandoh and one ambulance of PHC Tiprie is temporarily attached with this CHC by hospital management for shifting the patients.
“We have shortage of specialist doctors in this CHC as only 3 doctors and 1 dental surgeon are available for treating around 200 patients per day, which is very hectic job”, said Incharge BMO Dr Rakhi.
When contacted, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Doda Dr Mushtaq told the EXCELSIOR that maximum posts of specialist doctors are lying vacant in CHC Gandoh and the issue stands taken up with higher authorities. He hoped that requisite number of specialist doctors will be made available in this CHC in the shortest possible time, so as to provide relief to the patients from visiting Doda, Kishtwar and Jammu hospitals for treatment.

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