Early Times Report
Jammu, July 18: As many as two hundred Government Primary Health Centres run round the clock across state but the reality is that these institutions are understaffed and run round the clock on papers only.
According to Health and Medical Education Department, in NC-Congress regime government had upgraded these health institutions on the basis of Indian Primary Health Standards levels. The then government had claimed that all upgraded hospitals run round the clock. But astoundingly, two years after some hospitals have not changed in any manner.
"Lack of doctors has forced the authorities in the Health Department to do away with their earlier decision of running health centers round the clock.
The Health Department is not in a position to provide such services due to dearth of doctors and paramedical staff", sources told Early Times.
However, for these health institutions as per IPHS norms the manpower strength should have four Assistant Surgeon, a Dental Surgeon, four staff Nurses, one at each Pharmacists, female Health worker and Health Educator, two Health assistant male/female and class IV workers.
State government has failed to upgrade the manpower strength of such health institution, despite lapse of four years upgraded such institutions in paper", Sources said, adding that dozens of PHC for the last few years has been not conducted a single delivery but in documents the institution has been running round the clock and provided health services according to the norms of IPHS level.
For example PHC Bhalla, Prem Nagar, Assar and Gundana of district Doda has been catering one at each thousands of souls, needed to upgraded and the facilities regarding staff quarters, medicines and emergency services round the clock with an appropriate management of injuries, first aid, stabilization of the condition of patient before referral and should have availability of Ambulance for emergency services but at present these health institutions are running few hours in each working days. Shortage of doctors and Paramedical staff, department is forced to close the night shift in these health institutions generating a lot of public resentment. Director health Services Jammu, Dr. Gurjeet Singh was not available for comments. |
