61 posts of docs vacant at govt hospitals

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 19

The state and Central Government may claim that providing good quality medical facilities to the public is one of their primary concerns, their claims are not yet corroborated by the ground reality. 

In Bathinda district alone, there is an acute shortage of MBBS doctors. As against the 110 sanctioned posts of MBBS doctors at government hospitals and health centres, 61 posts are lying vacant. 

The shortage is not only limited to MBBS doctors but has extended to specialist doctors as well. 

The situation has come to such a pass that the facility of ultrasound is available only for two hours at the Bathinda Civil Hospital in absence of permanent radiologist. 

Despite the fact that at least 450-500 deliveries are conducted at the hospital every month, the expectant women have to either spend money on getting their ultrasounds done from private centres or wait for their turn at the Civil Hospital where a radiologist comes two hours in the morning. 

Either leaving for studying further or for greener pastures, nine MBBS doctors left government health centres in the district in the past one year. 

While seven doctors resigned from their jobs, two left for pursuing higher studies to gain specialisation in their profession. 

Speaking to Bathinda Tribune, Civil Surgeon Dr Hari Narayan Singh said all hospitals in the state were facing staff shortage for quite a long time now. 

However, he has assured that he would make sure that at every sub-divisional hospital, a gynaecologist would be available.