Docs sent to Bhiwani, Rohtak PGI patients suffer

The rush at Rohtak’s premier PGIMS hospital has increased manifold as nearly 40 doctors from there have been deputed to Bhiwani’s Pt Neki Ram Sharma Government Medical College to inspect and install equipment ahead of its scheduled inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14.

Sources said the Haryana Department of Medical Education and Research had shot off a communique to the PGIMS on April 9, asking it to depute more than 40 faculty members-cum-consultants at the Bhiwani college from April 10 onwards.

“Deputing so many faculty members is affecting the functioning of the PGIMS. What is the rationale behind shutting down services at one institute to run another,” questioned a faculty member.

The patients visiting the PGIMS also seemed resentful at the non-availability of doctors. “One won’t visit the PGIMS on a given day if there is prior information on the non-availability of doctors. A number of patients come from far-off places for treatment. Not finding the doctor who has been treating them causes much inconvenience,” rued Rajbir, who had visited the institute for the treatment of his mother.

When contacted, PGIMS Director Dr SK Singhal maintained that the faculty members had been deputed after due consideration of all aspects. “The doctors have been deputed to Bhiwani on Thursday and Friday, and will join back on Saturday,” he asserted. However, sources said the faculty members had been told to report in Bhiwani on Monday as well.

Employees from other medical colleges of Haryana have also been told to report at the Bhiwani medical college in view of its inauguration by the Prime Minister.