Crumbling facilites at Nagrota Surian hospital leave patients to god’s mercy
Raghav Guleria
Dharamsala, February 29
The state government’s tall claims of providing health services to the common man seem hollow at the Community Health Centre, Nagrota Surian, where the patients are left at the mercy of god.
The post of Block Medical Officer is lying vacant for over five years. Of the two sanctioned posts of medical officers, one is vacant, while one doctor has just joined, but nobody knows for how long he would stay here as his predecessors had “managed transfer” elsewhere. Out of the 28 sanctioned posts, only 15 are filled and 13 posts are lying vacant.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) said, “I have duly informed the state government about the staff crunch and heavy rush at the Nagrota Surian hospital OPD. A decision on the appointment and transfers rests with the political heads, who are well versed with the situation and can take remedial steps.”
The hospital caters to over 25 villages, mostly occupied by dam oustees. The nearest medical facility is either in Pathankot or at Tanda (Kangra), both about 60 km away. The narrow gauge train service, which was the lifeline of the region, has also been paralysed. The geographic location has left people with very few options.
According to Nagrota Surian panchayat deputy chief Sukhpal, the hospital is in dire straits. “Due to heavy rush at the OPD, it becomes impossible for one doctor to handle the workload. There is total chaos and people rue the lack of health services,” he said.
Sukhpal said a 50-bed hospital was notified by the previous government towards the end of its tenure which was subsequently denotified by the present regime.
The situation is no different at the adjoining health facilities. At Kuther, out of the two sanctioned posts, none has been filled. Ghar Jarot is also without a doctor.
Not only this, of the 39 health centres falling under this Block Medical Office (BMO), 10 are permanently shut for a reasonably long time and the rest are rendered useless for the want of adequate staff and equipment.
Insiders say a majority of the health centres do not have Community Health Officers to run the affairs. The hospital falls under the Assembly constituency of a Cabinet minister.
Staff crunch
I have duly informed the state government about the staff crunch. A decision on the appointment and transfers rests with the political heads, who can take remedial steps. — Chief Medical Officer
Total chaos
Due to heavy rush at the OPD, it becomes impossible for one doctor to handle the workload. There is total chaos and people rue lack of health services. — Sukhpal, panchayat deputy chief
