Shortage of supporting staff at government hospitals in Karnal, services hit

Parveen Arora

Karnal, April 19

Services have taken a hit at government hospitals in the district as they have reported shortage of supporting staff.

The existing staff members said the shortage had overburdened them and they were working extra hours to meet the requirement of patients.

As per the data collected by The Tribune, 38 of the 57 posts of lab technicians and all 13 posts of lab attendant have been lying vacant for the past several months.

The shortage of lab technicians and lab attendants has hit the services testing of blood, stool and sputum tests.

Seven of 14 posts of lab technicians are lying vacant at District Civil Hospital, while at the Indri Community Health Centre (CHC), two of the three posts are vacant.

Besides, a single sanctioned post of lab technician each at Bhadson Primary Health Centre (PHC), Khukhni PHC, Ramba PHC, Taraori CHC, Salwan PHC, Munak PHC, Padha CHC, Gagsina PHC, Gularpur Sheroi PHC, Kutail PHC, Gudha PHC, CHC Nigdhu, Samanabahu PHC, Padhana PHC, Sambhli PHC, Sagga PHC, Mirgan PHC, Uplana PHC, Popra PHC, Barota PHC and Jundla PHC are lying vacant.

Both sanctioned post of lab technicians at Kunjpura CHC and two of four in Assandh sub divisional hospital have also not been not filled.

Apart from the vacant posts of lab technicians, 24 of the 62 sanctioned posts of pharmacists are yet to be filled.

One sanctioned post of the Chief Pharmacy Officer and three of the ten posts of pharmacists are lying vacant at District Civil Hospital. One of three posts each at Indri CHC and Nilokheri government hospital has also not been filled.

A single sanctioned post each at Khukhni PHC, Ramba PHC, Salwan PHC, Munak PHC, Padha CHC, Gagsina PHC, Gularpur Sheroi PHC, Gudha PHC, Nigdhu CHC, Samanabahu PHC, PHC Padhana, Sambhli CHC, Kachwa PHC, Sagga PHC, Mirgan PHC, Popra PHC, Jundla PHC are also lying vacant.

Due to shortage of pharmacists, distribution of medicines had taken a hit, especially in rural areas, an official said.

All five posts of ECG technician are lying vacant for the past several months in government hospitals. The district civil hospital has three sanctioned posts of ECG technician. In absence of an technician, other staff members have to perform ECG services.

Civil Surgeon Dr Yogesh Sharma said: “We have been ensuring better health facility to people with the existing manpower. We have sent the demand to fill the posts. The vacancies will be filled in the coming days.”

Posts to be filled soon

We have been ensuring better health facility to people with the existing manpower. We have sent the demand to fill the posts. The vacancies will be filled in the coming days. — Dr Yogesh Sharma, Civil Surgeon