G S Asgotra
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 1: Dearth of doctors in district hospital Kathua has virtually turned it into a referral hospital and this scarcity has so far claimed numerous lives, as patients have been forced to move to either Jammu or Pathankot for treatment.
Astoundingly, four posts of gynecologists, one Orthopedic, two Physicians, two ENT specialists and one post of Anesthetist are vacant for the last two to four years and attached doctors have been manning all affairs.
Source in Health Department informed Early Times that presently four posts of Gynecologists, two physicians, two ENT doctors, one orthopedics and one Anesthesia doctor posts have been lying vacant since last four years.
"Three attached gynecologists are presently running the gynecologist department of hospital while one gynecologist doctor is at maternity leave and will only join the hospital after January", sources said.
A retired doctor, pleading anonymity said that the District Hospital Kathua has been catering patients from four Sub district hospitals, 25 Primary Health Centers, 11 Allopathic dispensaries, 12 Medical Aid Centers and three Mobile Aid Centers, established in nook and corners of the district.
"But due to scarcity of doctors, the referred patients have to return empty handed and have to further move to Jammu or Pathankot for treatment", sources said, adding that on daily basis, large number of patients have been referred to Government Medical College and Hospital Jammu or other hospitals in Jammu.
Dewan Chand resident of village Tanda of Tehsil Hiranagar narrating his story with correspondent said, "Few months ago, he had reached district hospital Kathua for his wife's delivery at around 8 PM, but surprised to notice that there was no gynecologist, following which the causality staff called the doctor to come immediately".
"As soon as, the doctor reached hospital, without any proper consultation, she used her pen and refers my wife to Shri Maharaj Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital Jammu, but when they reached only in Samba, my wife gave birth to a child in the ambulance, he alleged.
He further said that due to patients' burden and careless attitude of doctors most of maternity cases were transferred to SMGS hospital Jammu. "It is not an isolated case but every time such type of cases witnessed in district hospital but no one cares", he said.
When this correspondent contacted, Medical Superintendent Kathua, Dr. Manoj said that he had apprised the Director Health regarding dearth of staff, when he had visited district hospital Kathua.
"He had assured for providing staff as soon as possible the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) would be removed from state", he informed. |
