Bhadshah Khan Civil Hospital grapples with shortage of staff

The Bhadshah Khan (BK) Civil Hospital, which serves one of the most populated districts of the state, continues to face the issues related to staff and infrastructure, despite being one of the oldest government hospitals in the state. The unavailability of many facilities has been a cause for concern, despite the recent announcement of the state government to upgrade it further.

With 2,200 patients reporting here daily, the OPD of the 200-bed hospital has been operating with only 40 doctors on roll against the total sanctioned posts of 55. While eight posts of Medical Officers have been lying vacant for the past many years, seven are those who have either resigned or had been absent without submission of the reasons, according to sources in the Health Department. Shortage of specialist doctors has been causing further inconvenience to the patients coming here.

“The treatment and diagnostic facilities at private hospitals are quite hefty, thus, being out of the reach of many patients,’’ said Kavita, a resident of NIT here. She said many patients had been forced to report at private ultrasound centres in wake of non-availability of a Radiologist or Ultrasonologist at the hospital. The post of Radiologist had fallen vacant after the promotion of the earlier incumbent, who has, now, been asked by the authorities to conduct tests three times a week besides his official duty, it is revealed.

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been lying non-functional due to unavailability of staff for the past over two years. This has left the hospital as only a referral point in case of treatment of serious patients. The ICU needs staff, including four doctors, 16 Nurses, four operation theatre attendants and support staff, but no appointments have been made so far, said the sources.

The emergency ward has a total of four doctors, against the need of eight to ten medical officers. Only five out of the total 14 posts of Laboratory Attendants are filled at present.

Dr Savita Yadav, Principal Medical Officer of the hospital, said the matter has been brought to the notice of the higher authorities and the issues are likely to be resolved soon.