Staff crunch adds to Punjab Health Department’s woes

Our Correspondent

Fazilka, June 14

With all posts of programme officer in the district lying vacant for long, the Health Department’s struggle to fight Covid-19 has compounded.

Sources said among the posts that were lying vacant included that of civil surgeon, deputy medical commissioner, district immunisation officer, district family planning officer, district tuberculosis officer and district health officer (DHO).

‘Making efforts’

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I have been trying my best to serve patients with limited doctors and staff — Dr Chander Mohan Kataria, Assistant Civil Surgeon, District Hospital

They said the district epidemiologist had been assigned the additional charge of medicine specialist at the district hospital, as the MD (Medicine) posted there had gone on a leave.

The DHO and epidemiologist used to play a major role in spreading awareness among residents on ways to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Besides, many posts of medical specialists have also been lying vacant at the district hospital.

The sources said the hospital had also been devoid of an eye specialist, an ENT doctor, a dermatologist and a blood transfusion officer. The dialysis unit had also been lying shut for more than a year for want of another medical specialist.

Dr Chander Mohan Kataria has assumed the charge of assistant civil surgeon. With an additional charge of Fazilka civil surgeon, he alone has been holding the fort in the civil surgeon office. “I have been trying my best to fight Covid-19 with limited officials and staff,” said Dr Kataria.

In rural areas, the situation is grave, as community health centres at Sito Guno, Khui Khera, Dabwala Kalan, Wahabwala and Ramsara in Fazilka are devoid of specialists.

Rural situation worse

• In rural areas, the heathcare situation is grim
• Community health centres at Sito Guno, Khui Khera, Dabwala Kalan, Wahabwala and Ramsara in Fazilka do not have specialists