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| Lackadaisical approach of Principal GMCH: NBCP funds unspent for 10 years | | | Avinash Azad
JAMMU, Mar 26: Inefficiency and indifference of Principal Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) towards the disadvantaged section of society can be gauged from the fact that the funds-- Under National Blindness Control Programme (NBCP) are lying un-utilized for more than 10 years, besides, its counterpart GMC Srinagar has spent same grant three times.
Sources informed Early Times that an amount of Rs 28 lacs was left un-utilized, since it was released by Union Government under NBCP 10 years back. "The principal GMC has not provided the funds to Ophthalmology department of GMCH so far", said a doctor wishing anonymity. He said that had they spent available funds, more would have been provided by the Union Government.
He further said that good number of surgeries of Cataract and allied diseases were being conducted in the hospital, but the patients have to purchase medicines from market. "As per guidelines of the programme, the funds have to be spent to provide better health care in the hospital which includes free medicines, lenses and glasses to the patients", he added.
He asserted that it was a reflection of inefficiency of the incumbent to utilize the funds.
"We don't have a single eye drop to provide to the patients", he regretted and added that poor patients always ask them for eye drops and lenses from hospital, but no purchase of any medicine has been made by the department for years together. "Beside NBCP, there must be additional funds for purchase of medicines, but absurdly our Principal who is the head of the institution has failed to utilized available funds", he regretted.
"More than 15-20 cataract surgeries were being conducted by the department on daily basis, but repeated communication to higher authorities to meet the required equipment have remained unheard" the doctor lamented adding, "Ophthalmology slides machine has developed snags for more than 10 years; and huge amount has been spent for maintenance of the same machine," divulged, an Ophthalmology technician said wishing anonymity. He further said that Green laser which is used for diabetic test, has not been provided to department so far. "The green laser has several applications in ophthalmology including Retinal and pan-retinal photocoagulation to control the bleeding in the retina and its periphery, used in conjunction with a slit lamp delivery system, Endo photocoagulation in conjunction with an Endo probe in the operating room.
However, the Principal, GMCH, Dr Shashi Gupta chose not to respond to repeated calls on his phone for her comment. |
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