| 18 out of 19 posts fall vacant in 6 PHCs of Pouni, Minister not interested | | | Ajay Sharma
KATRA, Nov 22: Healthcare in peripheral areas seem to be on government's non priority list. This can be substantiated by the fact that Health Minister Shabir Ahmed Khan has shown no interest in deputing doctors in rural areas like Pouni where 18 out of total 19 posts of doctors in 6 Public Health Centers (PHCs) have fallen vacant.
Sources informed Early Times that there were two sanctioned posts of MBBS doctors each at five PHCs namely PHC Bambla Letar, Bharak, Ransoo, Jiz and Thakradot, but not a single doctor was posted in these PHCs for the last many months.
They further said that Pouni Public Health Center, which cater a population of several thousands, has sanctioned strength of six MBBS doctors but there was only one Block Medical Officer (BMO) deputed there while all other five posts were vacant. Sources further divulged that, moreover the health authorities have also deputed one doctor each to all PHC's under National Rural Health Mission, but that too posts were vacant.
Sources further divulged that around eight months back, the then Director Health had deputed doctor JP Singh at PHC Pouni but inspite of ensuring his posting at same PHC, the Minister concerned ordered attachment of same doctor to his choicest place of posting that was PHC Noushera.
The residents of Pouni block, while castigating the Health Minister said that they have to visit Reasi, Rajouri or Government Medical College Jammu for treatment of patients, with minor ailments. "We have requested them several times for posting of doctors, but our pleas always fall on deaf ears of the Minister", they lamented and appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to direct Health Minister to depute staff at the PHC's without any further delay.
Inspite of repeated phone calls to Minister Health Shabir Ahmed Khan, he didn't pick up his phone while the phone of Director Health was not reachable. |
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