Bijay Charak
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 21: Contrary to the claims of state government to strengthen health sector in mountainous districts, the district hospital Doda is manned by six medical officers as 70 percent posts are lying vacant for the last six months.
Sources informed Early Times that the sanctioned strength of medical officers was 22 but at present only six doctors cater the health institution. Moreover, the hospital has only three posts of radiologists but surprising the hospital has just one Junior Radiologist.
They further said that the hospital is situated in centre of district and caters the vast area including the areas from neighboring district having a population of more than seven lakhs.
There are 50 different posts lying vacant in the health institution. These include 16 Medical Officers posts, an ophthalmologist, a gynecologist, an anesthetist, a junior ortho, a technician (ECG), a X-ray technician, one post of head pharmacist, 2 posts of sister supervisors, one post of Junior and senior theatre technician, 2 posts of theatre nurse , X-ray boy, lab boy two posts in each and 8 posts of class IV against sanctioned strength of 16.
They further said that in absence of doctors in district hospitals, a major chunk of the population is deprived of services. "The ministers only look after their respective constituencies, rest are ignored. Previous month a minister specially posted 11 specialist doctors in his constituency but ignored the district hospital Doda where as acute dearth of doctors", they rued. The shortage of specialist doctors in district hospital Doda, their load of patients was continuously increasing are forced to visits Government Medical College and Hospital to avail their services of specialist doctors, while otherwise should have been provided at their doorsteps", sources said, adding that even the patients are being put to grave inconvenience of travelling huge distance to reach GMC&H Jammu. However, repeated call to Chief Medical Officer Doda, he didn't respond the call. |
