Health officials meet Arti over ailing Palwal Civil Hospital

Health Department officials have taken up the issue of the shortage of staff and inadequate infrastructure at the Civil Hospital here with Health Minister Arti Singh Rao. The recently upgraded hospital is faced with the shortage of specialist doctors along with the treatment and diagnostics facilities.

The matter got highlighted during the recent visit of Arti on December 2. A delegation of the Health Department Officials led by Civil Surgeon Dr Jai Bhagwan Jatain called on the minister and sought her help in resolving the issues faced by the hospital. The memorandum addressed to the Director-General, Health Services, seeks appointment of doctors of various specialties like medicine, radiologist, gynaecologist, psychiatrist and neurologist. The shortage of medical officers has impaired the services at the OPD and in the emergency ward.

The hospital is also faced with the shortage of paramedical and support staff like lab attendants, ward boys and cleanliness workers recruited through the Haryana Kaushal Rojgar Nigam portal of the state government.

The infrastructure or the medical equipment required by the hospital include the MRI machine, ultrasound machine, cath lab (for heart patients) X-ray digital system, autoclave machine (horizontal), automated coagulometer, automated hormone analyzer and modular operation theatre. The Civil Hospital, which was upgraded from 100 to 200 beds about five weeks ago, has a redundant fire safety system, which got exposed during the recent visit of the DC/

Of the total 601 sanctioned posts, only 377 posts are filled, affecting the medical facilities not only in the hospital but also at various other health centres. As many as 25 of the total 126 posts of medical officers (MO) and six of the 11 sanctioned posts of senior medical officers (SMO) vacant. Patients have to visit private hospitals or clinics as the posts of radiologist and psychiatrist haven't been filled for the past several years,’’ said an employee on condition of anonymity.

DC Dr Harish Vashisht said the matter of deficiency would be addressed on priority so that the hospital is able to meet all standards in the matter of providing health care and infrastructure to the patients.