Docs' residences at Panchrukhi health centre in a shambles

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, August 7

The residential quarters of doctors and para-medical staff that were constructed three decades ago at the Community Health Centre, Panchrukhi, 15 km from Palampur, are on the verge of collapse in the absence of repair and maintenance.

In these circumstances, these health personnel are left with no alternative but to stay in private accommodations. Since there is no provision of government accommodation, serious cases are not being treated here in late hours or in emergency.

On many occasions, patients die for want of medical care. Likewise, most of the accident cases are referred either to the Tanda Medical College or outside the state. Earlier, doctors used to stay here and serious patients were attended in late hours too.

Local residents Vijay Sharma, Ram Kumar, Romesh Chand and Sushil Kumar told The Tribune that since there was no provision to cater to emergencies at the hospital, people are forced to travel to Tanda, Palampur or as far as Chandigarh and Punjab even for minor ailments.

They said in the past 10 years, a number of CHCs in adjoining constituencies had been upgraded to Civil Hospitals but in the “absence of political will”, Panchrukhi had been ignored. They said the government should at least increase the posts of doctor from two to five. Alleging poor services, residents of Panchrukhi have lodged protests many times but in vain.

The CHC, Panchrukhi, caters to over 1,00,000 patients in the area every year. Residents alleged that even after crores of rupees are being spent, hospital services continue to be far from satisfactory in the absence of proper infrastructure and staff. Despite repeated requests of residents, the government is yet to upgrade the institution or increase doctor/nurse posts.

Kangra Chief Medical Officer Dr Gurdarshan Gupta said: “I am aware of the problems in Panchrukhi CHC. I will request the Public Works Department to submit an estimate for the repairs of these building so that I can arrange the funds.”

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Caption: Residential quarters of doctors and paramedical staff in poor shape at the Community Health Centre, Panchrukhi, near Palampur.