Urology ward in K’shetra civil hospital non-functional

Vishal Joshi

In the absence of an urologist, a newly acquired lithotripsy machine to treat patients with kidney stones is gathering dust at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Civil Hospital (LNJPCH) in Kurukshetra. The only specialist, Dr Rajesh Ghanghas, was first sent on deputation from the LNJPCH to Ambala, the home town of Health Minister Anil Vij, and was later transferred to Jind.

Sources say the lithotripsy machine costing Rs 3 crore was installed at the Kurukshetra hospital last month. The facility was seen as a major relief for kidney stone patients, as they were able to get quality treatment in the city. However, Dr Ghanghas, an urologist and general surgeon, was sent on deputation to Ambala on March 7.

They say patients at the LNJPCH are now have to either visit the PGI, Rohtak, or the PGI, Chandigarh, for affordable treatment of kidney stones, as there is no doctor to attend to them at the Civil Hospital, Kurukshetra.  

The sources say the OPD of the hospital has an average footfall of more than 120 patients in the Urology Department. But now the urology OPD functioning has been suspended in the absence of a specialist. 

Like Kurukshetra, Ambala too has got a lithotripsy machine. Dr Ghanghas was shifted to Ambala on 60-day deputation to operationalise the surgery machine.

Dr Sukhbir Singh, Civil Surgeon of Kurukshetra, has confirmed that there is no expert at the LNJPCH to use the lithotripsy machine. He says that to send a doctor on deputation or transfer him was the prerogative of the Health Department.

Meanwhile, the sources say though Dr Ghanghas has been transferred to Jind, the district does not have a high-end machine to treat kidney stone patients.

Patients hassled in absence of doctor

• Patients at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Civil Hospital are now have to either visit the PGI, Rohtak, or the PGI, Chandigarh, for affordable treatment of kidney stones, as there is no doctor to attend to them at the Civil Hospital, Kurukshetra.  
• The  Urology Department OPD has an average footfall of more than 120 patients. But now the urology OPD functioning has been suspended in the absence of a specialist.