3 specialists shifted from Fazilka hospital

Fazilka, September 21

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 to Ferozepur, anesthesiologist Dr Rupali Mahajan has been transferred to the Subdivision Hospital at Zira, and chest specialist Dr Neelu Chugh has been appointed as the District Tuberculosis Officer in the local Civil Surgeon’s office. Dr Neelu Chugh said he would carry on with the OPD duty along with his present assignment.

Residents had raised the issue of shortage of medical specialists at the hospital during the visit of the minister. “Doctors are seldom available at the hospital,” said Sukhchain Singh, a local.

Sources said no medical specialist was presently posted at the District Hospital. Dr Ankur Chaudhary, posted at the District Hospital, had been sent on deputation to the Civil Hospital, Abohar, a few months 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, ultrasound scan and dialysis units have been lying shut for the past more than two years, forcing patients to go to private hospitals. A senior official said the transfers were routine and there was nothing unusual in the process. — OC