TREAT HEALTH SERVICES above all other services: NGOs
Author(s): Harish K. MongaFerozepur, March 5, 2013: The Punjab Government is claiming of providing best health services in the civil hospitals and friendly towards the people of Punjab but the fact is that in almost all the government...
Ferozepur, March 5, 2013: The Punjab Government is claiming of providing best health services in the civil hospitals and friendly towards the people of Punjab but the fact is that in almost all the government hospitals, the number of posts of specialist doctors are lying vacant with the result the poor people are compelled to get the treatment of their wards from private hospitals. Giving this information, Inder Singh Gogia, President, NGOs Coordination Committee, Ferozepur Unit said, the claim of the government for providing hundred per cent health services to the people are being proved on papers only. He further said, the government should treat health above all other services.
He further said, the post of child specialist in Civil Hospital is lying vacant for the last two years and whenever a poor person comes to the hospital, they are advised to go to the private hospital. Likewise, the post of gynecologist is also vacant for the last one year and the special ward of women recently constructed is being deteriorated because of its no use.
Recently, when a child suffering of vomiting and high fever was brought to the hospital, he was referred to the private hospital because of non-availability of child specialist in the civil hospital.
As per the information, out of 8 posts of medical officers, 7 are lying vacant with the result of the specialist doctors have to attend to the duties as Emergency Medical Officer (EMO) and in certain medico legal cases, has to go to the court for evidence affecting the work in the OPD and the burden on specialist doctor has increased manifold.
Dr. Pardeep Aggarwal, SMO when contacted said, the shortage of doctors and staff is already in the knowledge of Civil Surgeon and the Punjab Government has been apprised about the status. However, Kamal Sharma, Punjab BJP President, who is a local resident, has assured to get the vacant posts filled shortly.
NGOs Coordination Committee has also written to the government to immediately fill up the vacant posts of doctors and staff in the civil hospital so that the poor people could avail the better and regular health services.