Only OPD services available at polyclinic; Karnal residents irked

Parveen Arora

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Karnal, January 21

Three and a half years after its inauguration, the polyclinic in Sector 16 has not been able to fulfil its aim and has been reduced to only four rooms in the building.

The food lab of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Department was given nearly 60 per cent portion of the ground floor of the building for temporary use in 2019, but now, the FDA has started major changes in the structure of the building by demolishing its walls, bathroom without taking permission from the Health Department and the HSVP.

Use it for hospital purposes

The polyclinic must be used only for hospital purposes instead of using it for the food lab. Being the only medical facility in the old city of Karnal, its facilities should be upgraded to the level of polyclinic in Panchkula. Dr Virender Singh Lather, Principal scientist (retd) & a resident of sector 16

Matter with lab in charge

We have given this building to the FDA Department to run the food lab for some time. After the issue came to my notice, I have written to the in charge of the food lab to stop demolishing work as no major changes in the main structure of the building can be done. Dr Yogesh Sharma, Civil surgeon

The polyclinic was constructed at the cost of Rs 5.58 crore and was inaugurated by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on July 29, 2018 with an aim to provide medical and emergency facilities round the clock to people living in the vicinity, who are unable to come to Civil Hospital and the KCGMC due to long distance. Facilities like specialist services, labour room, immunisation, dental clinic, ayush, indoor services, laboratory and canteen along with other emergency services were to be provided to the residents of the vicinity, but now, only the dental clinic and the general OPD facilities are being extended from this building.

Earlier, the first floor of this building was to be used for labour room and indoor services, but later, this floor was reserved for intermediate reference laboratory (IRL), at present running from the Civil Hospital.

Resentment prevails among residents for reducing the polyclinic for just OPD services. Yudhveer Saini, a councillor, said the polyclinic was started to provide better health facilities, especially emergency services at night, to the people of slum and the vicinity, but only OPD and dental services are available and that too up to 3 pm. “We demand the government to run a round the clock labour room and emergency services,” he added.

As per sources, the FDA Department has started demolishing work for setting up a latest food lab, but for it no permission was taken.

“We have given this building to the FDA Department to run the food lab for some time. After the issue came to my notice, I have written to the in charge of the food lab to stop demolishing work as no major changes in the main structure of the building can be done,” said Dr Yogesh Sharma, Civil Surgeon. “I have also brought the issue to the notice of the Deputy Commissioner as well as the higher authorities,” he added. Poonam, in charge of the food lab, did not give a clear reply, but said talk to the Commissioner, FDA Department. Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, said after the issue came to his notice, he had sent the Karnal SDM to visit the site and submit a report.

“I will take action according to the report, So far, I have asked them to stop demolishing the structure further,” said the Deputy Commissoner.

Changes in structure without permission

Food and Drug Administration Department was given 60 per cent portion of ground floor to run a food lab, but now, it started making major changes in its structure by demolishing walls without taking permission from the HSVP and Health Department