Una district hospital faces shortage of gynaecologists

Rajesh Sharma

Advertisement

Una, July 4

The Una district hospital is facing an acute shortage of obstetricians and gynaecologist.

After the launch of flagship programmes and campaigns for the mother and child health care by the Centre and a ban on home deliveries aided by village-level birth attendants, the rush of pregnant women has witnessed a sharp increase at government hospitals.The government also rolled out various other schemes such as free checkup, ambulance service, medicines and surgery and cash incentives if deliveries were conducted at government hospitals.

Sources said women suffering from gynaecological-related problems and pregnant women were being attended by three specialists till about four years ago. However, after the retirement of a doctor, the district hospital was left with only two doctors. Of these, one is serving a three-month notice period before taking premature retirement and recently proceeded on leave.

The lone gynaecology specialist, Dr Rajan Angra, said he was overburdened since he had to attend to out and in patient departments, besides conducting surgeries round the clock. Patients and women coming from far-flung areas had to wait for hours for their turn.

Dr VK Chaudhary, Medical Superintendent, said he had brought the issue to the notice of the Health Directorate. Dr Rajan Angra was also proceeding on leave from July 4 to 14 and during this period there would be no gynaecologist at the hospital.