Docs’ shortage hits Kangra hospitals

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 5

An acute shortage of doctors and lack of infrastructure at community health centres and primary health centres have crippled healthcare in Kangra district.

Of the 315 sanctioned posts of doctors in the district, 86 are vacant. Sources in the Health Department said several doctors had been sent to medical colleges on deputation, which had led to the shortage.

Though the previous Congress government had upgraded several primary health centres to community health centres, the facilities remained only on paper. These centres continue to face infrastructure and staff shortage issues.

According to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) norms, there should be at least six doctors at a CHC. However, the number of sanctioned posts remains just two or three. The CHC, Indora, has just three sanctioned posts against the requirement of six. Similarly, the CHC, Rehan, has only two sanctioned posts, the CHC, Gangath, three, the CHC, Ray, two, the CHC, Dadasiba, three, the CHC, Rakkar, two and the CHC, Nagrota Surian, two. The upgrade in the status has not benefited these centres.

In the absence of gynaecologists at CHCs, all expectant mothers are forced to go to the Tanda medical college and hospital, which copes with nearly 3,000 patients on a daily basis.

According to information, the situation at civil hospitals is also similar. Most of these hospitals lack specialist doctors and the facilities are yet to be upgraded.

The CHC, Jaisinghpur, was upgraded to the civil hospital during the Congress regime. However, there was only one doctor at the hospital against the sanctioned posts of six.

At the Thural Civil Hospital, there are only three sanctioned posts of doctors. At the Palampur Civil Hospital, one of the oldest health centres in the district, there are 34 sanctioned posts of doctors, but 12 are vacant.

However, Chief Medical Officer, Kangra, RS Rana said doctors were being posted in a judicious manner and as per their availability.

Minister for Health Vipin Parmar could not be contacted for his comment.

86 posts vacant in district

• Of the 315 sanctioned posts of doctors in district hospitals, 86 are vacant. 
• several doctors had been sent to medical colleges on deputation, which had led to the shortage
• According to the norms, there should be at least six doctors at a CHC.