7 posts of doctor vacant in Keylong, govt sleeps

Medical care missing

The posts of specialist like gynaecologist, orthopaediacian, eye specialist, surgeon, anaesthetist and in the ENT department are lying vacant

As a result, the people are suffering in the absence of medical care in the district

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 6

Seven posts of specialist doctor are lying vacant in the District Hospital, Keylong, in Lahaul Spiti for many years, which affected the health services.

The hospital caters to the services in the entire Lahaul valley. The posts of specialist like gynaecologist, orthopaediacian, eye specialist, surgeon, anaesthetist and in the ENT department are lying vacant. As a result, the people are suffering in the absence of medical care in the district.

The worst sufferers are expectant mothers, who face difficulty especially during winters when the entire valley covers under the thick blanket of snow. The roads are blocked for days which makes the movement for patients out of the district difficult.

Residents rue that due to the apathy of the government, the posts have been lying vacant for many years. The local MLA has also failed to force the government to fill the posts on priority.

Sudarshan Jaspa, a member of Lahaul Spiti Zila Parishad, told The Tribune: “Expectant mothers, children and senior citizens have difficult time during winters. It is the responsibility of the government to fill these posts on a priority.”

Chief Medical Officer Dr Paljore said seven posts of specialist doctor were lying vacant in the hospital.