Functioning of pvt partners of CHCs under scanner

Dehradun: Even as an inquiry is under way against Rajbhara, a private partner that was running the Raipur Community Health Centre (CHC), questions are being raised about the functioning of another private partner, Sheel Nursing Homes, that is running CHCs in several places in the state.

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, April 20

Even as an inquiry is under way against Rajbhara, a private partner that was running the Raipur Community Health Centre (CHC), questions are being raised about the functioning of another private partner, Sheel Nursing Homes, that is running CHCs in several places in the state.

The issue pertaining to the poor functioning of Munsiyari Community Health Centre (CHC) being run by Bareilly-based Sheel Nursing Home on a public private partnership mode has been brought to the notice of the Dr GS Joshi, DG Health.

The government has made the CMS (chief medical superintendents) have been entrusted with the task of maintaining detailed reports of the functioning of the CHCs and presenting them to the directorate.

There is acute shortage of doctors at the CHC and the private partner has failed to provide specialists. As a result, the CHC is running without a child specialist, physician, gynaecologist and ENT surgeon.

“The problem of shortage of staff has been brought to light by the CMS of CHC. Proper procedure is not being followed for the hiring doctors,” said Dr GS Joshi, DG Health.

According to the terms of the agreement signed by the private partner and the government, the private partner was to ensure that the hospital had adequate staff. This was the main reason behind the government’s move to opt for private partnership. But it seems that he mandate has not been fulfilled.

In the appointment of staff, nurse medical officer, general surgeon, dental surgeon and emergency medical officer (EMO), the requirement of five years’ experience has been given the go-by.

Further, the private partner is not maintaining regular signature book of employees to attest for their attendance. Sheel Nursing Home, Bareilly, had signed a concessional agreement in May 2014 for running CHCs, including the one at Munsiyari, Pithoragarh.

The DG Health has withheld dues of the erring private partners, but it has failed to have the desired affect.