Shortage of doctors: Services crippled at Gangath hospital
Residents of seven gram panchayats in the Indora subdivision of Kangra district are grappling with inadequate healthcare services at the 30-bed Civil Hospital in Gangath. The hospital has been struggling due to a prolonged shortage of doctors, leaving its emergency and indoor ward services non-functional. For the past several months, only one doctor has been available to manage the hospital’s Outpatient Department (OPD).
According to sources, the hospital has five sanctioned posts for doctors, two of which have been vacant for a long time. Of the remaining three doctors, one is on maternity leave and another has been transferred, leaving only one doctor to manage healthcare services. As a result, the hospital’s indoor ward and emergency services have been rendered ineffective.
During a recent inspection by Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil, it was observed that no patients were admitted to the indoor ward. Locals from the surrounding gram panchayats expressed their frustration, citing that critical cases are either rushed to Nurpur Civil Hospital or private healthcare facilities. Nearly 130 patients visit the hospital’s OPD daily, but the lack of sufficient staff has severely impacted healthcare delivery.
Former Indora MLA Reeta Dhiman highlighted that the hospital was upgraded to a 50-bed facility in 2020. However, she criticised the current state government for failing to meet even the basic requirements for staffing and healthcare services. Although the hospital has been notified as a 50-bed facility, only a 26-bed indoor ward is operational but remains unused due to the shortage of doctors.
Kangra Chief Medical Officer Rajesh Guleri said on December 24, the Director of Health and Family Welfare ordered the deployment of two doctors on deputation to temporarily alleviate the situation. However, locals continue to demand the regular posting of doctors to ensure the smooth functioning of the hospital and reliable healthcare services in the region.
