Shortage of specialists at Sirsa health centre

The community health centre at Chautala village here is facing a severe shortage of specialists and medical resources.

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On Friday, villagers submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister through the Senior Medical Officer (SMO), seeking their immediate intervention. The villagers warned of mass protests if no action was taken on their demands, including the appointment of a permanent SMO, a gynaecologist, a pediatrician, along with the reopening of the operation theatre and mortuary. They also pointed out that residents have to travel to Rajasthan for dental treatment since there was no dentist or surgeon at the centre.

According to farmer leader Rakesh Fagoriya, the lack of specialists led to the death of four newborn babies and a woman, triggering a two-month-long protest by the villagers.

Former Health Minister Anil Vij had earlier promised to appoint specialists, but it remained unfulfilled. Instead, three nurses were transferred from the centre, complicating the situation further.

The state Health Department had released a list of 533 doctors, who were assigned postings. As many as 21 doctors were assigned to Sirsa. According to officials, 14 doctors will be posted at the Sirsa Civil Hospital, two each at Dabwali, Rania, Ellenabad and one in Kalanwali health centre. The 14 doctors at the the Civil Hospital may later be relocated to hospitals in the district facing crisis.