Bijay Charak
Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 20: For 43 health institutions in Kalakote block of Rajouri, there are only 14 doctors, including the Block Medical Officer (BMO), exposing the tall claims of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to improve healthcare facilities across the state.
Sources informed Early Times that in Kalakote block, there are two Community Health Centres (CHCs), four Primary Health Centres (PHCs), five Allopathic Dispensaries and around 31 Sub-Health Centre (SHCs).
The people of Kalakote block are facing severe hardships due to the shortage of requisite staff in these health institutions, catering to the needs of lakhs of people.
"In CHC Kalakote, against the sanctioned strengthen of 12 Assistant Surgeons, there are only two doctors, forcing the locals to travel several kilometres to reach District Hospital, Rajouri even for the basic healthcare needs," sources said.
Sources said that a few years back CHC, Taryath was upgraded but it still did not have the sanctioned strength of staff. It only has two doctors, including a Dental Surgeon.
"PHC, Dalhori, has four doctors, including two of NRHM. The other three health institutions, including PHC Moughla, PHC Khawas and PHC Garan, are being run by one doctor each," sources said.
Sources said that according to Indian Primary Health Standard (IPHS), a CHC should have the strength of eight Assistant Surgeons, a Dental Surgeon, five Specialists, 11 Nurses and eight Pharmacists.
Castigating the state government, sources said that the government claims about the upliftment of basic facilities in rural areas were only on the papers and the rulers were not bothered about the problems being faced by common people.
"Most of the time, the patients visiting these 14 health institutions are asked to either go to the district hospital at Rajouri or Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu", sources said. |
