3 specialist docs shifted from under-staffed Fazilka hospital

Praful Chander Nagpal

Fazilka, September 20

After the visit of Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu to the Fazilka District Hospital last week, three specialist doctors have been shifted from the hospital.

According to the orders, medical specialist Dr Jatinder Kochhar has been shifted from the Fazilka District Hospital to Ferozepur, anesthesiologist Dr Rupali Mahajan has been transferred to the Sub-Division Hospital, Zira, and chest specialist Dr Neelu Chugh has been appointed as district tuberculosis officer in the local civil surgeon office.

Dr Neelu Chugh said he would carry on the OPD also along with his present assignment.

Residents had raised the issue of shortage of medical specialists in the hospital during the visit of the minister, but instead of deploying more specialists, three more doctors have been shifted.

“Doctors are seldom available in the hospital,” said Sukhchain Singh, a local.

Sources said no medical specialist doctor was presently available in the District Hospital.

Dr Ankur Chaudhary posted in the District Hospital had been sent on deputation to the Civil Hospital, Abohar, months ago as a post was lying vacant there. The other medical specialist doctor, Shahzeen Dhuria is on leave since long.

The sources said the posts of ENT, gynaecologist, dermatologist and pathologist were also vacant. As a result of which, ultrasound scan and dialysis units have been lying shut for the last more than two years forcing patients to go to private hospitals.

Not only the District Hospital is facing shortage of doctors but the civil surgeon office has also been awaiting programme officers since years. The posts of district health officer, district family planning officer, district immunisation officer, district medical commissioner and district epidemiologist are vacant, thus affecting government-sponsored welfare schemes and fight against the pandemic. Residents here have demanded to fill the vacant posts immediately.

Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr CM Kataria and a few emergency medical officers here are already infected with the virus.