Civil Hospital gets emergency respite

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 12

Five new emergency medical officers (EMOs) have been deputed at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. With this, emergency services would be resolved to a certain extent. However, the hospital still grapples with staff shortage.

The hospital was in a dire need of the EMOs as specialists were assigned duties in the emergency. As a result, their work used to suffer.

Dr Avinash Jindal, a medicine specialist, at the Civil Hospital, said the appointment of five EMOs has brought a sigh of relief to them.

“Earlier, we were assigned duties in emergency. As as a result, the work in OPD used to suffer. Now, we will be able to devote more time to patients,” he said.

Keeping in view the number of patients visiting the Civil Hospital, atleast five more EMOs were required.

At present, the post of an ENT specialist is lying vacant. There are three medicine specialists while there is a need for two more. There is a need for a surgeon, orthopaedics and an eye specialist.

Savitri, a patient with ruptured eardrum had to return as there was no ENT in the hospital. “Private doctors charge around Rs 500-600 as a consultancy fee. It is not possible for me to spend so much money. Instead of going to the doctor, I will go to a chemist and buy medicine,” she said

Another patient added that there should be one more eye specialist, as only one doctor fails to solve the purpose.

“We have already sent staff requirement details to higher authorities,” said Dr Geeta, Senior Medical Officer.