Upgraded hospital lacks space for beds

Our Correspondent

Nurpur, August 20

The local Civil Hospital, which was upgraded and notified for 135 beds, lacks crucial infrastructure, including space for beds. The state government created 23 posts of paramedical and supporting staff for the hospital, but ignored doctors’ posts required for quality medical services.

Sources said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had announced the upgrade of the hospital from 100 to 135 beds in February last year, but its notification had remained hanging in balance for 14 months.

The hospital, which is catering to residents of Nurpur, Jawali, Fatehpur, Indora and Bhatiyat subdivisions, has 18 sanctioned posts of doctor, including specialist, but 13 doctors have been posted here. In the absence of on call duty system of specialists, emergency services are getting affected.

Moreover, the government has notified its upgrade, but no provision has been made to accommodate 35 sanctioned beds on the hospital premises. No infrastructure has been developed for the upgraded hospital.

RS Rana, Chief Medical Officer, Kangra, said no posts of doctor had been created by the government and the existing doctors would meet the requirement of 135-bed hospital. He also admitted that no extra space was available in the hospital premises to adjust additional 35 beds sanctioned by the state government.  “For this purpose, the 

proposal of constructing an additional hospital block along with its drawing and designing will be prepared and submitted to the government for its approval,” he said.

Inadequate infrastructure

• The government has notified its  upgrade, but no provision has been made to accommodate 35 sanctioned  beds on the hospital premises
• No infrastructure has been developed for hospital
• The Chief Minister had  announced its upgrade from 100 to 135 beds in February  last year, but its notification had been hanging in balance for 14  months.